People misusing 911 could soon face fines in Brampton, Mississauga, and Caledon, after the Peel Region council voted this week to explore whether fines or other penalties can be issued.

Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown introduced the motion, citing Peel police data on emergency calls categorized as non-legitimate, inappropriate, or misuse.

Peel police received approximately 1,800 calls every day in 2023, out of which 720, or more than 40 per cent, were deemed non-legitimate, inappropriate or misuse.

In the last two months alone, Peel police reportedly received over 100,000 calls, of which it said 50 per cent were misuse.

“It has reached a breaking point,” Brown said.

The rise in negligent calls comes as police are dealing with a 27 per cent increase in calls, which police are calling the highest year over year call volume increase to date.

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CBC News
January 12, 2024