2-1-1 Day in Northern Ontario

Written by Press Release on 11 February 2016

On 2-1-1 Day, residents are encouraged to make the right call

THUNDER BAY, ON – February 11 is 2-1-1 Day across North America. To mark this day, United Way of Thunder Bay, Lakehead Social Planning Council, and 211 Ontario helpline is asking residents to make the right call (#MakeTheRightCall) if they want or need help. His worship Mayor Hobbs has proclaimed today as 211 Awareness Day in the City of Thunder Bay.

Knowing the right number to call will help people find the right services for their situation and will help reduce non-urgent calls to 911.

“211 has rapidly become an essential community service across Ontario. It’s the easiest and fastest way for our community’s most vulnerable, and those who care for them, to connect to social, health and government services,” said Andrew Benson, Executive Director of Ontario 211.

211 is answered live, 24 hours a day, every day of the year including holidays, in more than 150 languages. Residents can call 2-1-1 for information on community, social and health services, as well as municipal, provincial and federally funded services like housing, employment and mental health and addiction agencies. Residents can also call 2-1-1 for services like food banks or for the non-emergency police number.

In an effort to help create greater awareness in Northern Ontario communities about 211 services and its benefits, TransCanada has generously come on as a funding partner. The promotional campaign would roll out across Northern Ontario over 3 years to include communities and reserves in the following Districts: Kenora, Rainy River, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma, Cochrane, Manitoulin, Nipissing, and Timiskaming.

“As a company that has worked and lived in Northern Ontario for over 60 years, TransCanada believes giving back to Ontario communities is all part of being an employer of choice, a good neighbour and trusted community partner,” says Dan Stencill, Aboriginal and Community Relations Liaison at TransCanada. “This year, we are proud to announce a $60,000 donation to the United Way of Thunder Bay to support 211 services in Northwestern Ontario – helping connect citizens to important local, non-emergency services.”

“211 is a one-stop-shop to connect people to services that are often provided by charities and non-profits — partners who rely on 211 to reach the community in most cost-effective and accessible way. The United Way of Thunder Bay, being a key partner and Funder, is so pleased to see the work that has been done with 211 since its inception and the way it is supporting our citizens.” said Joanne Kembel, Executive Director, United Way of Thunder Bay.

“211 is a valuable resource for Ontarians, and for police. 211 calls are answered by highly trained specialists who know our community services and can refer callers to support near them. When residents make the right call, they help ensure 911 call takers can focus on emergency situations and help save lives”, says Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Vince Hawkes.

Residents should always call 9-1-1 for life-threatening emergencies or crimes in progress that require police, fire or paramedic services. When people don’t know where to turn, 211 is there for them.

EXAMPLES OF NON-URGENT CALLS THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE TO 911: