February 11, 2016
Today marks National 211 Day. The City of Toronto is partnering with 211 Ontario helpline to educate residents on how to make the right call if they want or need help.
Residents are encouraged to call 211 for information about health, social and community services. For example, you can call 211 if you are a newcomer to Canada and are looking for employment training or you are concerned about a family member with an addiction and need information about available programs. You can also call 211 if you need information about a food bank, mental health support or a non-emergency police contact number.
211 is answered live, 24 hours a day, every day of the year including holidays. More information is available at
http://211ontario.ca.
“Calling 211 can help you find services that are provided by any of the three levels of government, charities and non-profits," said Councillor James Pasternak (Ward 10 York Centre), Chair of the Community Development and Recreation Committee. "Residents can be connected to everything from finding the phone number for Telehealth Ontario to tax clinics for low-income people to homework clubs and seniors’ centres."
Residents, visitors and businesses can call 311 (not 211) for information about City services or programs, or to make a request for service. Callers can get information about everything from checking on property and utility taxes to reporting a missed garbage pickup to finding out where the closest flu clinic is located. Customer service representatives also have access to over-the-phone interpreters who can speak more than 180 languages. 311 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at
http://insideto.toronto.ca/311.
"Knowing the right number to call will help residents find the right services for their situation," said Gary Yorke, Director of 311 Toronto. "It also ensures that resources are being used appropriately so that residents get the help they need sooner."
• Call 311 to get information about City services and programs such as garbage collection, water service, graffiti removal and recreational skating locations.
• Call 211 for information about community, social and health services if you don’t know where to turn with a problem.
• Call 911 for a medical emergency, or threats or harm to a person or property that require police, fire or paramedic services.
Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.
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Media contacts:
Chris Fernandes, Strategic Communications, 416-397-5211, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Destiny Bedwell, Ontario 211 Services, 416-777-0211, ext. 225, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
