Who handles emergency services?
Emergency Services
Emergency services involve all levels. Federal manages national emergencies and cross-border response, each province has its own emergency management organization (not just Ontario), and municipalities operate fire and paramedic services.
⚠️ Shared Jurisdiction: This area involves multiple levels of government. The information below shows the primary responsibility at each level, but overlap is common. When in doubt, start with the level most directly related to your issue.
Key Facts
- ● Canada has approximately 3,000 fire departments and 80,000 volunteer firefighters serving communities nationwide.
- ● Emergency call volumes across Canada exceed 10 million 911 calls annually, with medical emergencies being the most common.
Federal
Parliament of Canada
- ● Public Safety Canada and emergency management
- ● Canadian Armed Forces disaster response
- ● Canadian Red Cross coordination
- ● Federal disaster financial assistance
💡 Example: Contact Public Safety Canada for national emergencies, or your MP about emergency preparedness.
Provincial
Provincial Legislature
- ● Provincial emergency management organizations (each province has one)
- ● Provincial police (OPP in Ontario, SQ in Quebec, RCMP under contract elsewhere)
- ● Provincial disaster recovery programs
- ● Provincial 911 coordination
💡 Example: Contact your provincial emergency management office, or your MPP/MLA about emergency preparedness.
Municipal
City / Town Hall
- ● Fire services and prevention
- ● Paramedic and ambulance services
- ● Municipal emergency management
- ● Local emergency planning
💡 Example: Call 911 for emergencies, or contact your municipal emergency management office.
Quick Reference — Who to Contact
🏛️ Federal
Your Member of Parliament (MP)
🏢 Provincial
Your MPP, MLA, or MNA
🏘️ Municipal
Your City Councillor
How to Get Involved
You can make your voice heard on this issue by contacting your elected representatives at all levels of government.
- ● Contact your MP about federal policies and programs
- ● Reach out to your provincial MLA/MPP about provincial programs and regulations
- ● Attend municipal council meetings to discuss local initiatives
- ● Join advocacy organizations focused on this issue
- ● Volunteer with your local fire department, search and rescue team, or community emergency response organization.
- ● Attend municipal council sessions to discuss emergency preparedness funding and local response capabilities.
Ready to Take Action?
Use MyCivicVoice to find your representatives and draft a letter about the issues that matter to you.
Take Action →Frequently Asked Questions
Call 911 for police, fire, or medical emergencies. For non-emergency police matters, call your local police non-emergency line. For poison control, call Health Canada at 1-800-465-7365.
Public Safety Canada coordinates federal emergency management, border security, national security, and emergency preparedness. It works with provinces and municipalities on disaster response.
Create an emergency kit with water, food, medications, and important documents. Know your community's evacuation routes. Sign up for local emergency alerts. Have a family communication plan.
The Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program provides federal-provincial financial assistance. The Canadian Red Cross and local organizations provide immediate relief.
Contact your local police non-emergency line or visit your local police station. Many police services also offer online reporting for minor offences like vehicle break-ins and property damage.