Emergency services
Life-threatening emergencies, fire, crime in progress and medical emergencies. Call first if anyone is in immediate danger.
All resources
Search, filter, save to My plan, and print. Phone numbers are shown only where they were verified from an official source.
Tip: a city filter also shows Ontario-wide and Canada-wide services, because those serve that city too. Use the Food page for a city-only food list.
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Free, confidential, 24/7 suicide-prevention and emotional-distress support by call or text. Also for people worried about someone else.
211 Ontario
Free, confidential 24/7 information and referral to community, social, health and government services across Ontario. Toll-free: 1-877-330-3213. Live chat weekdays 7am–9pm ET.
Kids Help Phone
Canada’s 24/7 free, confidential counselling service for young people, by professional counsellors.
Ontario Poison Centre
Free 24/7 telephone advice about real or possible exposure to poisonous substances. GTA: 416-813-5900.
Assaulted Women’s Helpline
Free, anonymous, confidential 24/7 crisis counselling, safety planning, support and referrals for women in Ontario who have experienced abuse. GTA: 416-863-0511. TTY: 1-866-863-7868. Mobile: #SAFE (#7233).
Fem’aide
24/7 crisis counselling and referral for French-speaking women experiencing violence.
Talk4Healing
24/7 culturally sensitive crisis counselling, advice and support for Indigenous women and their families.
Ontario Victim Support Line
Toll-free information line connecting victims of crime to community services and information about the justice system.
Seniors Safety Line
Free, confidential 24/7 support, safety planning and referral for seniors experiencing or at risk of abuse.
Hope for Wellness Helpline
Immediate, culturally competent counselling and crisis support for all Indigenous peoples in Canada, 24/7, with follow-up referrals on request.
Indian Residential School Crisis Line
24/7 culturally appropriate counselling for former residential-school students and their families.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls support line
24/7 national support line for anyone needing assistance related to missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
211 Ontario — housing search
Find emergency shelters, rent help, housing help centres and homelessness services by location. Toll-free: 1-877-330-3213.
Landlord and Tenant Board (Tribunals Ontario)
Tribunal that resolves landlord-tenant disputes under Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act. It gives information on rights and processes — it cannot give legal advice. Toronto: 416-645-8080.
Social / subsidised housing — local service manager
Rent-geared-to-income housing is applied for through your local municipal service manager or district board and its centralised waiting list. There is no single Ontario-wide application. Expect ID, status, income and consent forms, and annual re-verification.
Ottawa — The Registry (social housing)
Ottawa’s centralised waiting list for subsidised housing. Local only — other cities have their own registry, found through 211. Weekdays 8:30am–4:30pm.
Toronto Rent Bank
Toronto-only grants to tenants at risk of eviction for rental arrears, and for rent deposits when moving to more affordable or safer housing. Payment goes directly to the landlord. Other cities have their own, differently named programs — ask 211.
Ontario Works Emergency Assistance
Short-term financial help in a crisis such as fire, flood or loss of home, for people who qualify.
EmergencyHousing.ca — Ontario Resource Directory
Ontario-wide directory of shelters, housing, food, health and community services maintained by EmergencyHousing.ca. Search it alongside 211 for a second local check.
Ontario Works
Ontario’s financial and employment assistance for people in financial need: basic needs and shelter help, plus employment support. TTY: 1-800-387-5559.
Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Income and employment support plus health benefits for adults with a disability in financial need. Apply for Ontario Works at the same time if you need immediate help, as disability determination can take months.
Canada Child Benefit (CRA)
Monthly, tax-free payment to eligible families for children under 18. File taxes yearly to keep receiving it. General CRA: 1-800-959-8281.
GST/HST credit (CRA)
Quarterly tax-free payment offsetting GST/HST for eligible low- and modest-income individuals and families, generally triggered by filing a tax return.
Service Canada — Social Insurance Number
The free 9-digit number you need to work, file taxes and receive benefits. Apply online, by mail or in person.
Consumer Protection Ontario
Information on consumer rights, mediation of complaints against businesses, and enforcement under Ontario consumer law. Contact the business first, then complain. Toronto: 416-326-8800.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Canada’s central fraud-reporting centre. It collects and shares reports but does not investigate — also contact local police and your bank.
Health811 Ontario
Free, confidential 24/7 health advice from a registered nurse: initial assessment, local services, and connection to mental-health and addictions services. No OHIP number required. TTY: 711.
Health Care Connect
Matches Ontarians without a family doctor or nurse practitioner to a clinician accepting new patients in their community, prioritising greater health needs. It does not guarantee a match.
OHIP — Ontario Health Insurance Plan
Ontario’s public health insurance for medically necessary doctor, hospital and related services. Apply in person at ServiceOntario with proof of status, Ontario residency and identity.
ConnexOntario
Free, confidential 24/7 information on mental-health, addiction and problem-gambling services in Ontario, plus live web chat and email.
BounceBack Ontario
Free guided self-help program for mild-to-moderate anxiety, depression, low mood, stress and worry, for ages 15 and up: telephone coaching, workbooks and online videos.
One Stop Talk
Free, confidential, immediate mental-health support with a registered therapist for children and youth under 18.
Community Health Centres (Ontario list)
Community-governed centres providing primary care, health promotion, counselling and social programs, often free and with interpretation. Find your local centre on the Ontario list or through 211.
Public health units (Ontario list)
Local public health services: immunisation, sexual health, prenatal care, infectious disease and inspections. Find your unit on the Ontario list.
IRCC — Find free newcomer services near you
Federally funded free settlement services: needs assessment and referral, information and orientation, language assessment and training, employment help, and supports such as childcare, transport and interpretation.
IRCC — Resettlement Assistance Program
Immediate, essential support for government-assisted refugees: airport greeting, temporary housing, help finding permanent housing, registering for programs, budgeting, bank account, life-skills training and referrals.
Settlement.org (Ontario)
Plain-language Ontario settlement information on housing, health, work, school and daily life, plus a services directory.
LINC — Language Instruction for Newcomers
Free English classes for eligible adult newcomers, at Canadian Language Benchmark levels, full- or part-time, day, evening or weekend, some with childcare or transport help. A free language assessment comes first.
CLIC — French language classes for newcomers
The French equivalent of LINC, funded by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, at NCLC levels.
Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
Ontario network of immigrant-serving agencies. Use its member listings and the IRCC finder to find a settlement agency near you.
Employment Ontario
Free one-to-one employment counselling: resume writing, interview training, skills training, job-search help, apprenticeships and training supports, through local providers. Toronto: 416-326-5656. TTY: 1-866-533-6339.
Job Bank (Government of Canada)
Canada’s national job board, with filters including newcomers, youth, veterans, Indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities. Online service.
Employment Standards Information Centre
Answers on minimum wage, hours, overtime, vacation, leaves, termination and unpaid wages under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act. Claims can generally be filed within 2 years of the violation.
Legal Aid Ontario
Funds legal help for low-income Ontarians: certificates for lawyers, duty counsel, and community legal clinics. Toronto/GTA: 416-979-1446. Weekdays 8am–5pm.
Community legal clinics (LAO finder)
Local, funded clinics giving free legal information, advice and sometimes representation. You must live in the clinic’s catchment area — call or email first to confirm eligibility. Help includes housing, income, employment, human rights, consumer and immigration matters, varying by clinic.
Steps to Justice (CLEO)
Plain-language legal information on Ontario law — housing, employment, family, immigration and more — with referral links. Online information only.
Pro Bono Ontario — Free Legal Advice Hotline
Up to 30 minutes of free telephone legal advice on civil matters such as employment, housing, consumer issues and powers of attorney. Not family or criminal law.
Feed Ontario
Provincial network of more than 1,200 food banks and hunger-relief organisations. Use its member directory or 211 to find a local food bank — there is no central client phone line.
Food Banks Canada
National network listing food banks across Canada. Find a bank near you on its site.
Daily Bread Food Bank
Toronto’s large food-relief provider, distributing food to member agencies and meal programs, with a location finder on its site.
211 Ontario — food search
Finds food banks, meal programs, food delivery, community meals and food for special dietary needs by location.
Good2Talk
Confidential counselling and referrals for Ontario post-secondary students.
Black Youth Helpline
Culturally appropriate support for Black youth, families and schools. Toronto: 416-285-9944.
LGBT YouthLine (Ontario)
Confidential, non-judgemental peer support by trained 2SLGBTQ+ volunteers, for people 29 and under in Ontario. Sunday–Friday 4:00–9:30pm ET, plus chat on site.
Text 647-694-4275Official site →
Trans Lifeline (Canada)
Grassroots hotline and microgrants support for trans people, by the trans community.
VAC Assistance Service
Free, confidential 24/7 psychological support and referral for Canadian Armed Forces veterans, former RCMP members, families and caregivers. No need to be a VAC client. TTY: 1-800-567-5803.
Veterans Affairs Canada
Benefits, services and operational stress injury clinics for veterans and families. TTY: 1-833-921-0071.
Employment Insurance (EI)
Federal benefits for eligible workers who lose a job, are sick, or take parental or caregiving leave. A Record of Employment from your employer is usually part of the claim.
Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement
Federal pensions and low-income supplement for seniors. Eligibility depends on age, residence in Canada, and income.
Toronto Police — non-emergency line
Non-emergency police line for Toronto. For an emergency or a crime in progress, call 911. Some non-emergency crimes can also be reported online.
Victim Services Toronto
Support, information and referrals for victims of crime in Toronto.
ShelterSafe — shelter map
Map to help find a shelter in Ontario. Availability changes, so confirm by phone or through 211 before travelling.
The 519
Toronto community centre offering newcomer and refugee settlement help, groups, counselling and workshops for 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
Sherbourne Health — 2SLGBTQ+ health
Inclusive primary and family health care in Toronto, including 2SLGBTQ+ health services.
Toronto Child Care Fee Subsidy
Help paying child care fees for eligible Toronto families. The City also has a child care search and locator for licensed programs.
Ontario — community support services for seniors
Ontario overview of community support services, including help for seniors to live at home and stay connected. Ask 211 for the local provider.
North York Harvest Food Bank
Food bank serving north Toronto, with community food programs. Check its site for locations and hours.