Emergency Numbers & Helplines in Canada Every New Arrival Should Save

When I first arrived in Canada, I wanted to feel prepared for anything. While I haven’t (thankfully) had to dial 9-1-1 or other emergency numbers, the peace of mind that comes from knowing these resources exist is invaluable.

Figuring out even basic information felt like a big task initially, and that’s why I wanted to put together this guide for fellow newcomers—to share these essential emergency numbers and helplines so you can also feel more secure as you settle into your new life here.

Emergency Numbers In Canada For Newcomers to Know

Immediate Life-Threatening Emergencies: 9-1-1

If you or someone around you is in serious danger and needs help right away from the police, firefighters, or an ambulance, you should call 9-1-1. This number works across all of Canada. Use 9-1-1 when there’s a crime happening, a fire, or a medical problem that could cause someone to die or be seriously hurt.

When you call 9-1-1, be ready to tell the person who answers your name, your location (your address if you know it), and what kind of help you need (police, fire, or ambulance). They will ask you questions to understand the situation and send the right people to help.

Pro Tip: It’s really important to teach your children about 9-1-1. Explain to them that it’s for serious emergencies only and show them how to dial the number. Make sure they know their address if possible.

Sometimes you might need the police for something that isn’t an emergency. For those situations, there’s a different way to contact them.

Non-Emergency Police Assistance

Sometimes you need to talk to the police, but it’s not an emergency where someone’s life is in danger. For things like reporting a theft after it happened, dealing with a noisy neighbour, or if you just have a question for the police, you should use their non-emergency number. This keeps the 9-1-1 line open for urgent situations.

How do you find the non-emergency number where you live in Canada? The easiest way is to search online for “[your city/region] police non-emergency number”. For example, if you are living in Mississauga, Ontario, you can call 905-453-3311 for non-emergencies. You can also usually find this number on your local police department’s website. Just look for a “Contact Us” or “Non-Emergency” section.

Knowing this number can save you time and ensure you’re using the right way to get in touch with the police when it’s not a life-threatening situation.

Now, let’s talk about another important number for accessing health information when it’s not a medical emergency.

Provincial/Territorial Government Information Lines

Did you know that each province and territory in Canada has a special phone number you can call to get general information about government services? Think of it like a help desk for the government.

If you have questions about things like driver’s licenses, health cards, or finding out about different programs and services your province offers, these lines can be very helpful.

For example, in Ontario, you can call 1-800-267-8097 (toll-free). This number can help you find information on many different topics related to the Ontario government.

The best way to find the specific number for the province or territory you live in is to search online for “Government of [Your Province/Territory] Information Line”. Save this number in your phone, as it can be a great resource for many non-emergency questions you might have.

Sometimes, the issues you face might be more serious and require legal help. Let’s look at where newcomers can find legal assistance if they need it.

Accessing Healthcare Advice: 8-1-1 (where available)

Sometimes you might have a health question or concern that isn’t an emergency, but you still want to talk to a healthcare professional for advice on symptoms or the next steps. In many provinces across Canada, you can call 8-1-1 for this.

Think of 8-1-1 as a free and confidential phone line where you can speak to a registered nurse or other health expert. They can provide guidance on your health concerns and direct you to appropriate healthcare services in your area.

In Ontario, this service is now called Health811. If you call 8-1-1, it will connect you to the same services, which are available 24 hours a day. They can offer health advice in English and French, and they can also provide translation in other languages if needed.

Tip: Save “811” in your phone’s contacts right now! It’s a good number to have handy for those non-emergency health questions.

Knowing about 8-1-1 can help you make informed decisions about your health and access the right level of care.

Up next, let’s talk about where you can find support for your mental well-being as you settle into your new life in Canada.

Mental Health Support & Crisis Lines

Moving to a new country can be a big change, and it’s normal to feel stressed, sad, or lonely sometimes. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or need someone to talk to, there are people who can help.

There are mental health crisis lines available across Canada. These are free, confidential services where you can speak to someone who understands what you might be going through.

They can offer support and guidance, no matter what you’re facing. One national resource is the Canada Suicide Prevention Service, which you can call toll-free at 1-833-456-4566. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In Ontario, there are also many local mental health support services. For example, you can call the Distress Centres of Greater Toronto at 416-408-4357. These centres offer confidential and anonymous support for anyone in distress. It’s helpful to know that these resources are there if you ever need them.

Tip: Just like you would save emergency numbers for physical health, also save the number for the Canada Suicide Prevention Service in your phone: 1-833-456-4566. You might not need it, but it’s good to have it just in case, for yourself or for someone you know.

Remember, it’s a sign of strength to reach out for help when you need it.

Next, we’ll look at resources that can help you with the practical aspects of settling in, like finding information about settlement services.

Legal Aid Services

Sometimes, you might face legal problems after moving to Canada, and it can be hard to know where to turn. Legal aid services can help. These services provide free or low-cost legal help to people who cannot afford a lawyer. This can be really important for newcomers who might not know the Canadian laws or who have limited money.

In Ontario, there is an organization called Legal Aid Ontario (LAO). They can help with different types of legal issues, especially for people who are new to Canada, including refugee claims and immigration matters.

If you qualify financially and your legal issue is covered by LAO, they may help pay for a lawyer to represent you.

If you need legal aid in Ontario and you are new to Canada, you can call LAO toll-free at 1-800-668-8258 from Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also apply online through their website.

Legal aid can help you understand your rights and navigate the legal system, which can be very important when you are settling into a new country.

Tip: If you think you might need legal help but are worried about the cost, contact Legal Aid Ontario at the number above or visit their website to see if they can assist you. Don’t wait until the problem gets bigger.

Knowing that legal aid services exist can give you peace of mind knowing there’s support available if you ever face legal challenges.

Next, we will explore resources that can help you with finding housing, which is a big concern for many newcomers.

Housing Assistance Hotlines

Finding a safe and affordable place to live is one of the biggest challenges for newcomers. If you are facing a housing emergency, like being at risk of losing your home or not having a place to stay, there are resources that can help. Knowing who to call in these situations is really important.

One helpful number to remember across Ontario is 2-1-1. This is a free, confidential helpline that connects you with a wide range of community and social services, including emergency shelters, housing support programs, and information about affordable housing options in your area.

You can call 2-1-1 anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and they can help you find the services you need.

In the Mississauga area, you can also contact Peel Region’s Housing Services directly at 905-453-1300 for urgent housing and eviction support, information about subsidized housing, and referrals to other services.

They can help you understand your options if you are struggling to find or keep housing.

Tip: Add 2-1-1 to your phone contacts. This single number can connect you to many different kinds of help, including housing, in your community, no matter where you are in Ontario.

Knowing about these housing assistance hotlines can be a lifeline if you ever find yourself in a difficult housing situation.

Finally, let’s talk about another helpful resource: provincial and territorial government information lines.

Poison Control Centres

Accidents can happen, and sometimes, children or even adults might accidentally swallow something that could be harmful, like cleaning products or medicines. This is why it’s very important to know how to get help quickly if someone in your home has been poisoned.

Every province in Canada has a poison control centre that you can call for advice. These centres are staffed by experts who can tell you exactly what to do in a poisoning situation.

In Ontario, the number to call for the Ontario Poison Centre is 1-800-268-9017. This number is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s much better to call the poison control centre right away if you are worried someone has been poisoned, even if they don’t seem sick yet. The experts can give you the best advice based on what was taken and how much.

Tip: Take a moment now to write down the Ontario Poison Centre number – 1-800-268-9017 – and keep it in a visible place at home, like on the fridge. It could save a life.

Having this information readily available can help you act quickly and get the right guidance in a scary situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Even though I haven’t personally had to use any of the emergency numbers listed here since arriving in Canada, compiling this information has definitely made me feel more settled and secure.

I hope this guide provides you, as another newcomer, with that same sense of preparedness and reassurance as you build your life here. Welcome to Canada, and we hope this resource proves helpful!