Canada Poison Control Number: 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province)
+1 · Poison Control Centres
The poison control emergency number in Canada is 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province). Operated by Health Canada. Free to call. Works from mobile phones.
Poison Control Centres
Canada · Poison Control
📝 Provincial poison control centres. Common numbers: Ontario 1-800-268-9017, BC 1-800-567-8911, Quebec 1-800-463-5060. For life-threatening poisoning, call 911 first.
🔢 Dedicated Number Pages
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🗣️ Emergency Phrases in Canada
Use these phrases to communicate in an emergency when language is a barrier. Tap the speaker to play pronunciation.
⚠️ When NOT to Call Poison Control
- • Do not call 911 for non-urgent police matters - use local non-emergency numbers
- • Do not call 911 for power outages - contact your local hydro company
- • Do not call 911 for minor injuries - visit a walk-in clinic or family doctor
- • Do not make prank or test calls to 911 - it is a criminal offence
- • Do not call 911 for road conditions or weather - use provincial 511 services
- • Do not call 911 for poison information unless life-threatening - call your provincial poison centre
✈️ Travel Notes — Canada
Emergency response is excellent in urban and suburban areas. Response times in remote northern communities, rural areas, and wilderness regions may be significantly delayed. Air ambulance services (Ornge, STARS, etc.) operate for critical cases. Medical care is world-class but ambulance services may charge fees; travel insurance is recommended.
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Poison Control Emergency Service in Canada — Complete Guide
When traveling to Canada or living there as an expat, knowing the correct poison control number in Canada is critical for emergency preparedness. The official emergency contact line for poison control services in Canada is 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province), which is operated and monitored by Health Canada. Provincial poison control centres. Common numbers: Ontario 1-800-268-9017, BC 1-800-567-8911, Quebec 1-800-463-5060. For life-threatening poisoning, call 911 first.
How to Dial 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province) in Canada
To reach the Poison Control Centres in Canada, dial 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province) from any local fixed line, cellular phone, or public payphone. Dialing from mobile devices is fully supported across local mobile operators and international roaming SIM cards. A SIM card is typically required by mobile operators in Canada. If you lack a SIM card, dial the universal emergency number 112. Calls to this emergency service are 100% free of charge — no prepaid airtime credit or active subscription plan is required.
Calling from International Roaming or Abroad
If you are within Canada using an international roaming SIM card, you can dial 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province) directly without any country code prefix. If you need to contact emergency dispatch in Canada from an international location, the country calling code is +1.
Language & Communication with Dispatchers
Emergency operators in Canada communicate primarily in en, fr. If you do not speak en, remain calm and state your language immediately (e.g. "English, please"). Most national dispatch centers have access to telephonic interpretation services or English-speaking officers to ensure rapid dispatch.
What to Expect When You Dial 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province)
When you call the poison control number in Canada, you will be connected to a trained dispatcher at Health Canada. These operators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. When connected, clearly state:
- Your exact location (city, neighborhood, landmark, or GPS coordinates)
- The nature of the emergency (poison control assistance)
- Number of individuals involved or needing immediate medical/police/fire assistance
- Your contact number for callback if disconnected
All Emergency Numbers in Canada
Please note that Canada utilizes dedicated emergency lines for different agencies. Besides the Poison Control (1-844-POISON-X (varies by province)), the following emergency services can also be reached directly: National Emergency Number (911), Police Emergency (911), Emergency Medical Services (911), Fire and Rescue Service (911), Poison Control Centres (1-844-POISON-X (varies by province)), Suicide Crisis Helpline (988). Additionally, the universal emergency contact number 112 is active across Canada and will redirect calls to the appropriate local agency.
Official Regulatory & Government Source
The emergency number 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province) is verified against official directories published by Health Canada. Last verified on 2026-01. If you notice any outdated information or changed hotline details, please contact our editorial team so we can update the platform for traveler safety.
Frequently Asked Questions — Poison Control in Canada
What is the Poison Control number in Canada? ▼
The Poison Control emergency number in Canada is 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province). Provincial poison control centres. Common numbers: Ontario 1-800-268-9017, BC 1-800-567-8911, Quebec 1-800-463-5060. For life-threatening poisoning, call 911 first.
Does 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province) work from mobile in Canada? ▼
Yes, 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province) works from all mobile phones in Canada.
Can I call 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province) without a SIM card? ▼
A SIM card is typically required. Try 112, the universal number, which works without a SIM on most networks.
Is calling 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province) free in Canada? ▼
Yes, calling 1-844-POISON-X (varies by province) is free in Canada. No airtime credit needed.
Who operates Poison Control in Canada? ▼
The Poison Control service in Canada is operated by Health Canada. Source: https://www.poison.org/
Does 911 work everywhere in Canada? ▼
911 is available in most populated areas. Very remote northern communities and wilderness areas may not have 911 service. In some remote areas, local emergency numbers are used.
Can I call 911 from a mobile without a SIM card in Canada? ▼
Yes. All mobile phones can dial 911 without a SIM card and without airtime. This is a regulatory requirement in Canada.
Are emergency calls free in Canada? ▼
Yes. 911 calls are free from any phone. Ambulance transport may incur charges depending on the province.
Can deaf or hearing-impaired users contact 911 in Canada? ▼
Yes. Text with 911 (T911) is available in many areas for pre-registered users. TTY calls to 911 are accepted. Video relay services are also available.
What is the mental health crisis number in Canada? ▼
988 is the national suicide crisis helpline available 24/7. Call or text 988 for mental health crisis support in English or French.
Are 911 operators bilingual in Canada? ▼
911 services are required to be available in both English and French. In practice, bilingual service varies by region. Interpretation services for other languages can be requested.