British Columbia is launching a review of the province鈥檚 911 emergency service after complaints about escalating costs and lack of transparency.

Public Safety Minister Garry Begg says in a statement the review is to 鈥渆nsure these services remain effective and sustainable for years to come鈥� and to understand the cost increases.

Premier David Eby had said in September during his keynote address to the Union of BC Municipalities that he intended to conduct an independent study into 911 services.

The Public Safety Ministry says municipalities, law enforcement and other emergency services have raised concerns over a 鈥渓ack of operational and financial transparency鈥� and 鈥渦nsustainable levy increases鈥� at E-Comm, the non-profit that maintains the 911 system.

Begg鈥檚 office says the independent study will review E-Comm鈥檚 financial records to assess sustainability and efficiency, and recommendations on improvements will be made.

The union representing B.C.鈥檚 emergency communications professionals says in a separate news release that it鈥檚 eager to participate in the review, and members have been 鈥渞aising alarm bells鈥� about 911 service and staffing for years.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about service and response levels,鈥� says Donald Grant, president of CUPE 8911. 鈥淭here are serious problems with the governance structure at E-Comm, which led to a lack of accountability and transparency to the communities and the people it is meant to serve.鈥�

The province says 911 services will not be disrupted during the review.