Emergency numbers in Canada: 9-1-1 and provincial agencies

Short answer. Dial 9-1-1 for police, fire and ambulance everywhere in Canada ¹. Public Safety Canada coordinates emergency preparedness federally, and each province and territory has its own emergency management organization with a public phone line ². Those offices handle preparedness and large emergencies; for an immediate threat to life, always call 9-1-1.

What number do you call in an emergency?

9-1-1, for police, fire and ambulance, across Canada ¹.

Text with 9-1-1 (T9-1-1) exists for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired and who register with their wireless provider ¹. We could not confirm its current coverage area (the CRTC page blocks automated reading), so check with your provider whether it is available where you live.

Who runs emergency management in each province and territory?

All numbers: Public Safety Canada, emergency management organizations list ².

Which federal agencies matter for preparedness?

• Public Safety Canada runs the Get Prepared program: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/emergencies/preparedness/get-prepared.html
• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulates nuclear facilities, including the rules for potassium iodide pre-distribution (see our Canada iodine page).
• CRTC oversees public alerting and 9-1-1 services ¹. Alerts reach you through Alert Ready: https://www.alertready.ca/ (see our Canada alerts page).

How should you keep these numbers?

Write them down as well as saving them in your phone: a power cut or a dead battery can leave you without your contacts. Public Safety Canada's checklist includes an emergency plan and next-of-kin contacts in physical and digital copies; our Canada kit page lists them. Our guide how to make a family emergency plan shows how to pick an out-of-area contact and meeting places.

Frequently asked questions

Is 9-1-1 the same everywhere in Canada?

Yes. 9-1-1 is the emergency number for police, fire and ambulance across Canada ¹.

Can I text 9-1-1 in Canada?

Text with 9-1-1 is available to deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired people who register with their wireless provider ¹. Ask your provider whether it covers your area.

When should I call my provincial emergency management office instead of 9-1-1?

Call 9-1-1 for any immediate danger. Provincial and territorial offices coordinate large emergencies and preparedness; their numbers are in the table above ².

Who do I call about potassium iodide in New Brunswick?

New Brunswick EMO, 1-800-561-4034 ². See our Canada iodine page for the zones.

Sources

1. Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) — 9-1-1 Services for Traditional Wireline, VoIP and Wireless Phone Services — https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/phone/911/can.htm (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. Public Safety Canada (Canada.ca) — Emergency management organizations — https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/emergencies/preparedness/get-prepared/emergency-planning-resources/emergency-management-organizations.html (accessed 2026-10-20)