Open Provinces211: the free helpline to find community, health and social services
What 211 is, how to reach it by phone, text or chat, and what it can help with.
211 is a free, confidential helpline and website that connects you to community, health, government and social services near you: food, housing, income support, mental health, family and legal help, services for seniors and newcomers. Dial 2-1-1 or go to 211.ca to find the service for your area. It is not an emergency line: call 9-1-1 in an emergency and 9-8-8 for a mental-health crisis.
How to reach it
- By phone, text, online chat or the website, depending on your region. It runs 24 hours a day, every day, in most of the country; text hours are shorter in some provinces (for example, B.C.'s text line is open about 8:00 to 22:00).
- Help is offered in many languages (sources cite 150 to 240 depending on the region), by interpretation.
- Coverage has grown: dialing 211 was recently enabled in Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. If 2-1-1 does not connect where you live, use the 211.ca site to find your regional line.
What it can and cannot do
It lists and explains services and can help you find the right one; it does not give legal or medical advice and it does not apply for benefits for you.
211.ca: find your regional 211 service ↗
Sources and limits
Read on November 14, 2026 from 211 and United Way Centraide Canada pages. Hours and languages vary by region.
General information based on federal and national rules; provincial rules may differ. Confirm with the official body before acting. Last reviewed : 2026-11-14.