Not all calls that come into 911 are emergencies. Some are just downright inappropriate.
E-Comm, the province’s emergency call service, released its annual list of the worst and most time-wasting calls of the year — something the agency does to drive home that 911 is for those who really need the help.
This year’s stinker list is topped by complaints about a neighbour wearing too much cologne, a stain left on a shirt by dry cleaners, and an unopened McDonald’s restaurant.
Other useless 911 calls included one to alert authorities of a purchase of 38 rotten avocados in a box, as well as another to report a “domestic-looking rabbit in a park.”Another requested help removing a wasp nest. There was also a request for “technical support” and directions to a Shoppers Drug Mart.
E-Comm said 911 lines should be reserved to report in-progress crimes or emergencies requiring immediate attention from police, fire or ambulance services.
“We understand that some of these situations might feel urgent to the individual in the moment, but 911 is not the appropriate number to call if your power goes out or you require tech support,” said one E-Comm call taker.
“We must treat every call as an emergency until we know otherwise and each second we spend responding to a call that does not belong on 911 is time we could be getting help to someone in a life-threatening emergency.”
Top 10 list of calls that did NOT belong on 911 in 2024
1. Their neighbour was wearing too much cologne
2. The dry cleaners stained their shirt
3. McDonald’s wouldn’t open their doors
4. They wanted directions to a 24/7 Shoppers Drug Mart
5. Complaining the power was out
6. Requesting technical support
7. The box of 38 avocados they purchased were rotten
8. They left their phone in an Uber
9. Requesting help removing a wasp nest
10. There was a domesticated-looking bunny in the park
