Help in emergencies

Emergencies are situations in which you need immediate help. There are special telephone numbers for emergencies, police, firefighters or ambulance services. Emergency numbers are usually listed inside the front cover or on the first page of the telephone book.

In Edmonton, Calgary and most of the rest of the province, the main emergency telephone number is 911. However, each municipality (city, town or rural community) is responsible for its own emergency phone system. In some areas, emergency numbers are different than 911.

For areas that do not have a 911 phone emergency system, you should call the local police, fire or emergency medical services centre directly. These numbers will be listed in the emergency services pages of your local telephone book, usually on the inside front cover or the first page.
 
Call 911 only if there is an emergency that requires the attention of fire fighters, police officers, ambulance attendants or medical personnel. You could be fined for making a non-emergency call. Children should be taught how and when to use the emergency number.

In Edmonton and Calgary, emergency operators may be able to help you in your own language. Even if you cannot communicate with the operator, call the emergency number and do not hang up. The operator will trace the source of your call and send help.

If you can, tell the emergency operator:

• What the emergency is and what type of help you need. For example, say, “I need an ambulance” OR “Please send the police” OR “I wish to report an accident.”
   
• Where the emergency is. For example, say, “Please come to (address)” OR “I am at the corner of (name) Street and (name) Avenue.”
   
• Your name, address and telephone number.

Unless you are over 65 years of age, you will be required to pay for ambulance services. For information about medical insurance and other programs that may cover these costs, see Paying for Care and Equipment.

In Canada, people trust police officers. Police protect society, assist people in need and help to ensure that people are treated according to law. If you do not need emergency assistance but want to talk to a police officer, look for the correct numbers to call in the white pages of your telephone book or on the myTELUS phone book website.

For other types of emergencies (for example, problems relating to natural gas, water, power, drug addiction, suicide prevention, sexual assault), there are other 24-hour emergency numbers. These numbers are usually listed near the front of your telephone book.

Emergency shelters

Emergency shelters provide temporary accommodation for people who have no money and no other place to go. In Alberta, many communities have different types of emergency shelters for:

• Young people.
• Homeless men or women.
• Abused women and their children.

Emergency shelters provide a safe environment, free of charge, for a short period of time. Telephone numbers for emergency shelters are usually listed near the front of the telephone book. Addresses of women's emergency shelters are not listed so abusers cannot find their victims. Abused women are given an address to go to when they call. Women's shelters may offer food, essential transportation, clothing, medical and dental assistance, crisis counselling, housing assistance, childcare or other information free of charge.

Visit the Service Alberta website for more information about crisis services in Alberta.

Food banks

Food banks provide free food to people who do not have enough money to purchase what they need. To find a food bank near you, see the Alberta Food Bank Network Association website or look in your telephone book under Food Bank or the name of your community.

Income support

Albertans value their work and self-sufficiency. However, the Government of Alberta may provide financial benefits to individuals and families who do not have the resources to meet basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. The amount of assistance varies depending on each individual's situation (for example, financial resources, ability to work and the number of children in the family). Income Support is part of a system of supports called Alberta Works.

If you are a refugee claimant or permanent resident and do not have the resources to meet your basic needs, you may qualify for income support. Tourists, students, temporary workers, persons illegally in Canada, persons on a Minister's Permit, or those who have been denied refugee status are not eligible. Refugee claimants are eligible for Income Support if their application for refugee status has been accepted by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

If you were sponsored, your sponsor agreed to support you for a period of time after you arrived in Canada. It is your sponsor's responsibility to pay for what you need.

You may be eligible for income support:

• If your sponsor has lost a job.
• If your sponsor did not fulfill their responsibilities.
• If you need to leave an abusive situation or have been abandoned.

For more information, visit the Alberta Employment and Immigration's Alberta Works website or call the Alberta Works contact centre by phone at 780-644-5135 in Edmonton or 1-866-644-5135 toll-free in other Alberta locations. Or call 310-0000 to be connected to the Alberta Employment and Immigration office nearest you. From a cell phone, call #310 (on Telus or Bell) or *310 (on Rogers).

You will have to wait until your immigration status has been confirmed by Citizenship and Immigration Canada before you can make an appointment to meet with an intake worker from the Alberta Works program. Citizenship and Immigration Canada will contact you to confirm whether there is documentation prepared to confirm your immigration status.

If you contact an Alberta Employment and Immigration office for emergency assistance before receiving notification from Citizenship and Immigration Canada, an Employment and Immigration staff person will have to contact the Government of Canada to confirm your status.

Date Updated: Jan 05, 2009
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