How Does Emergency Numbers Work in Canada?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Americas
1The Quick Answer
Call 911 for all emergencies — police, fire, and ambulance — anywhere in Canada.
2What You Need to Know
911 is the universal emergency number throughout Canada for police, fire, and ambulance services. It works on all mobile phones even without a SIM or signal from your carrier (any available network is used). For non-emergency police matters, each city has a local non-emergency line. The Canada Poison Control Centre can be reached at 1-800-268-9017 (Ontario) or province-specific numbers. In remote wilderness areas, mobile coverage may not exist — carry a satellite communicator (Garmin inReach) or personal locator beacon for backcountry travel.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1911 works nationwide for all emergencies and connects on any available mobile network, even without a SIM
- 2For wilderness and backcountry travel, rent or buy a satellite communicator — cell coverage disappears quickly outside cities
- 3If hiking or camping, register your trip plan with the park or a local contact who can alert authorities if you don't return
How does this compare?
Emergency Numbers rules in nearby and similar countries:
Call 911 for all emergencies nationwide; dial 078 for the tourist assistance hotline.
Police (Polícia Militar): 190; ambulance (SAMU): 192; fire brigade (Bombeiros): 193; Federal Police: 197.
Call 101 for police, 107 for ambulance (SAME service), and 100 for fire anywhere in Argentina.
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