Summary#
This bill amends the Telecommunications Act to require the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to designate a three-digit phone number for suicide-prevention services. The CRTC must make this designation within one year after the section comes into force (Bill, after s. 46.1). The bill does not specify which number, how services will be delivered, or any funding.
- Creates a legal duty for the CRTC to pick a 3-digit number within 1 year (Bill, after s. 46.1).
- Leaves all technical details and rollout steps to the CRTC.
- Does not fund call centres or mental health services.
- May lead to changes in phone dialing rules, subject to CRTC orders.
- Aims to make help easier to reach in a crisis.
What it means for you#
- Households
- You may be able to dial a simple 3-digit number to reach suicide-prevention services once the CRTC designates and implements it. The bill sets a 1-year deadline for designation; it does not set a start date for public use (Bill, after s. 46.1).
- If the CRTC’s chosen number conflicts with existing local dialing patterns, you may have to use 10-digit local dialing in some areas. The CRTC required this in a similar 988 decision to ensure calls route correctly (CRTC, Decision 2022-233).
- People in crisis and caregivers
- An easier-to-remember number could reduce the time to reach help once active. The bill itself does not change service hours, languages, or staffing levels (Bill, after s. 46.1).
- Businesses
- You may need to update phone systems, auto-dialers, and posted contact information if the CRTC changes dialing rules or once the 3-digit number is active (CRTC, Decision 2022-233).
- Telecommunications customers
- You could see intercept announcements and public education about dialing changes if required, similar to past CRTC actions (CRTC, Decision 2022-233).
- Telecommunications service providers
- You would need to comply with the CRTC designation and any related orders to enable routing, announcements, and customer education. Specific technical and timing requirements would be set by the CRTC, not by the bill (Bill, after s. 46.1; CRTC, Decision 2022-233).
- Crisis lines and service providers
- You may get more calls once a 3-digit number is active. The bill does not provide funding or operational mandates, so any scaling would rely on existing programs or separate decisions (Bill, after s. 46.1).
Expenses#
Estimated net cost: Data unavailable (no fiscal note; no appropriations in bill text).
- No direct appropriations or new federal spending are in the bill text (Bill, after s. 46.1).
- CRTC administrative and proceeding costs: Data unavailable.
- Telecommunications network changes (switch translations, intercept recordings, customer notices) would be set by CRTC orders; costs to carriers: Data unavailable (CRTC, Decision 2022-233).
- Public education on number adoption or dialing changes: Data unavailable; not funded in the bill.
- Crisis centre staffing and capacity: Not addressed or funded in the bill (Bill, after s. 46.1).
Proponents' View#
- A simple 3-digit number lowers barriers to get help in a crisis. The CRTC has recognized that a three-digit code improves access to mental health and suicide prevention support (CRTC, Decision 2022-233).
- A firm 1-year deadline pushes timely action by the regulator, instead of an open-ended process (Bill, after s. 46.1).
- Technical choices and routing rules remain with the CRTC, which can tailor implementation and mitigate conflicts with existing dialing (Bill, after s. 46.1; CRTC, Decision 2022-233).
- The bill avoids creating new programs or ongoing fiscal obligations; it uses existing regulatory tools (Bill, after s. 46.1).
- If the CRTC selects a number aligned with other countries (for example, 988), travelers and border communities may face less confusion. This depends on the CRTC’s designation and is not guaranteed by the bill (CRTC, Decision 2022-233).
Opponents' View#
- The bill does not fund crisis centres or expand service capacity. Opponents warn a new 3-digit number could increase calls without added resources, leading to longer waits (Bill, after s. 46.1).
- Implementing a new 3-digit code may require areas with 7‑digit local dialing to move to 10‑digit dialing, which can be inconvenient and require public education and system updates (CRTC, Decision 2022-233).
- The bill sets a deadline to pick a number but does not set a date for full public availability. Actual rollout could take longer due to network changes, interoperability, accessibility, and training (Bill, after s. 46.1; CRTC, Decision 2022-233).
- The bill is silent on text, chat, TTY, and accessibility features. Opponents note this could limit access for people with hearing or speech disabilities unless addressed by the CRTC or health authorities (Bill, after s. 46.1).
- Without a coordinated national communications campaign, there is a risk of confusion between the new number and 911. The bill does not mandate or fund public education (Bill, after s. 46.1).