8-1-1

8-1-1

8-1-1 is an N-1-1 telephone number used in Canada and the United States. Its purpose varies by country: in Canada, it is used for non-urgent health services, while in the United States, it connects to utility location services to prevent damage to underground utilities.

By Country

Canada

In July 2005, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) designated 8-1-1 for non-urgent health teletriage and telehealth services. Since then, provinces and territories have gradually adopted 8-1-1 for their telehealth systems.

• In May 2008, Quebec launched its 8-1-1 service for health inquiries (Info-Santé).<ref>CRTC Decision 2005-39.</ref>
• Yukon followed in July 2008,<ref>Yukon Health and Social Services Announcement, 2008.</ref> and British Columbia in November 2008.<ref>British Columbia Ministry of Health Services, 2008.</ref>
• In July 2009, Nova Scotia began offering 8-1-1 services.<ref>Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness.</ref>
• Saskatchewan implemented its service in March 2013,<ref>Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, 2013.</ref> and Alberta launched 8-1-1 in June 2015.<ref>Alberta Health Services.</ref>
• Newfoundland and Labrador adopted the number in July 2015,<ref>Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, 2015.</ref> while Ontario introduced 8-1-1 services in April 2022.<ref>Ontario Ministry of Health, 2022.</ref>

Since 1997, New Brunswick had operated a province-wide Tele-Care service using a toll-free 800 number. In 2010, the province transitioned to using 8-1-1.<ref>Tele-Care New Brunswick Official Records, 2010.</ref> The province of Quebec has enhanced its service by incorporating access to social workers for psychosocial distress, under the same 8-1-1 line (Info-Social).<ref>Quebec Ministry of Health and Social Services.</ref>

United States

In March 2005, the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) designated 8-1-1 as the national number for the 71 regional "call before you dig" services.<ref>FCC Ruling 05-59.</ref> These services help coordinate utility location services to prevent damage to underground public utilities during excavation.

Prior to this decision, each regional service had its own toll-free 800 number, creating confusion and inefficiency. The 8-1-1 number aims to simplify the process by providing a single, easy-to-remember phone number for contractors, homeowners, and others planning to dig.<ref>National Utility Damage Prevention Coalition Report.</ref>

Purpose

• Canada: Provides non-urgent health advice and teletriage services, often staffed by registered nurses or health professionals.
• United States: Connects callers to utility location services to mark underground pipes, cables, and other utilities before excavation.

See Also

• Telehealth
• Utility location services
• N-1-1 telephone numbers

References

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External Links

• Health Canada Official Website
• Call 811: U.S. Utility Location Services