Learn more about 211 Day

Annually on February 11, Canadians come together to celebrate 211 Day (2/11) —a day dedicated to raising awareness about the 211 service and its vital role in supporting communities across the country. This year, on February 11, over 70 landmarks nationwide will illuminate in red for United Glow and 211 partners and staff from across Canada will unite in raising awareness and inspiring action through social media, advocating for sustained funding with all levels of government and hosting community events.

What is 211?

211 is a free, confidential service that provides everyone in Canada with easy access to information about essential government and community services. By simply dialing 2-1-1, individuals are connected to a trained Resource Navigator who can offer information about local supports such as:

• food banks and communal meal programs
• income assistance programs
• legal resources
• support for mental health and addictions (counselling services)
• housing options including emergency shelters
• support for seniors, newcomers, and much more.

Available 24/7 and offering support in over 150 languages, help starts with 211. Visit 211.ca.

Why is 211 Important?

Every year, 211 connects over 2 million Canadians to the help they need most.

In difficult times, people often don’t know where to turn for assistance. 211 serves as a lifeline, directing individuals to the appropriate services before they reach the point of crisis.

In 2023, 602,834 contacts made by phone, text, chat and email were answered by the 211 service, and 686,000 requests for support were handled by 211 Community Navigators.  Housing and shelter were the top needs expressed in contacts with the 211 services followed by mental health supports.

211’s aggregated data also provides valuable information for decision-makers and program developers about top needs and service gaps in communities across the country.

For example, in the first half of 2024, housing and shelter resources accounted for 28% of the unmet needs identified in contacts to 211, while mental health resources accounted for 8% of the unmet needs. Unmet needs reflect a lack of local services to meet callers’ needs or a lack of capacity from the sector to respond to the level of need in a community. Information like this can help inform where further resources can be invested to make sure that people can access the support they need when they are faced with life’s challenges.

United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC) believes that 211 should be a fundamental part of Canada’s social infrastructure. Navigation services and data insights are ready to be leveraged to contribute to stronger communities, policies and programs. Aligned with UWCC’s 2025 Pre-Budget Submission, we call on the government for increased, sustained funding that will allow 211 to expand the services’ reach and capacity, to ensure all Canadians can get support when they need it most.  Most punctually we propose government to:

2024. a) Support streamlined referrals and service planning for the roll out of the Youth Mental Health Fundby the Public Health Agency of Canada announced in Budget 2024.
2025. b) Increase federal and provincial benefit uptake among vulnerable communities.
2026. c) Support seniors in accessing government and community services and programs to help them age in place in their homes and communities.

United Glow 2025: Illuminating Canada in Red

A key feature of 211 Day is United Glow, a nationwide initiative where landmarks, monuments, and buildings across Canada illuminate in red to symbolize that no one should face their struggles alone. This year, over 70 locations will shine brightly in support of 211.

You can get involved by visiting a participating landmark on February 11, snapping a photo, and sharing it on social media with the hashtags #211DayCanada, #UnitedGlow, and #HelpStartsHere.

United Glow Participants 2025

BC

Burnaby – BC Parkway

Burnaby – City Hall

Kelowna – Visitor Centre

Ladysmith – City Hall

Parksville – Civic and Technology Centre

Port Coquitlam – City Hall

Port Moody – City Hall

Quesnel – Fraser River Footbridge

Trail – Victoria Street Bridge

Vancouver – BC Place, The Northern Lights Display

Vancouver – Burrard Street Bridge

Vancouver – Canada Place, Sails of Light

Vancouver – City Hall

Vancouver – Pacific Coliseum – PNE

Vancouver – Science World

Victoria – BC Parliament Buildings, Ceremonial Entrance and Fountains

Victoria – Confederation Garden Park Fountain and Waterfall

White Rock – White Rock Pier

Alberta

Calgary – Calgary Tower

Calgary – Telus Spark Science Centre

Edmonton – High Level Bridge

Edmonton – Legislature Building

Grande Prairie –Grande Prairie Sundial

Lethbridge – Lethbridge City Hall

Red Deer – Red Deer City Hall

Manitoba

Winnipeg – The Forks – Winnipeg Sign

Winnipeg – Esplanade Riel

Ontario

Aurora – Aurora Town Square

Belleville – Bridge Street Bridge

Belleville – Fire Station 1 Memorial

Belleville – BELLEVILLE sign

Brampton – Brampton City Hall Clock Tower

Carleton Place – Bridge

Charlottetown – Founders Hall

Charlottetown – City Hall

Charlottetown – Confederation Centre of the Arts

Charlottetown – The Holman Grand Hotel

Stratford – Town Hall

Summerside – City Hall

Collingwood – Clock – Tower and CWOOD sign at municipal building

Kingston – City Hall

Kingston – Springer Market Square

Mississippi Mills – Almonte Old Town Hall

Mississauga – Clock Tower at Mississauga Civic Centre

Newmarket – Fred A. Lundy Bridge & Riverwalk Commons

Niagara – Niagara Falls

Sudbury – The Big Nickel

Sudbury- Peace Tower

Toronto – CN Tower

Toronto – 3D Toronto Sign

Vaughan – Vaughan City Hall

Quebec

Montreal – Olympic Stadium

New Brunswick

Bathurst – Tour de la Promenade Waterfront Tower

Edmundston – Hôtel de Ville

Grand Bay-Westfield – Veterans Peace Park

Moncton – Downtown Place

Moncton – Downing Street

Moncton – Ian Fowler Oval

Moncton – Southeast Regional Service Commission

Shippagan – Hôtel de Ville

Nova Scotia

Halifax – Halifax City Hall – scheduled but currently being repaired, not guaranteed to be fixed in time.

Halifax – Nova Scotia Legislature

Sydney – City Hall

Sydney – Port Authority

Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown – Shaw building

Charlottetown – Confederation Center of Arts

Charlottetown – The Arts Hotel

Charlottetown – Mi’Kmaq Confederacy of PEI

Charlottetown – Founders Hall

Charlottetown – City Hall

Charlottetown – Confederation Centre of the Arts

Charlottetown – The Holman Grand Hotel

Stratford – Town Hall

Summerside – City Hall

Newfoundland and Labrador

St. John’s – St. John’s City Hall

Mount Pearl – Mount Pearl City Hall

Gander – Town of Gander

Clarenville – Elizabeth Swan Park

Clarenville – Bare Mountain

How can you help?

We can only help others if they know that we are here. Help spread the word about this essential service by sharing our posts on social media, taking a picture in front of a United Glow monument on 211 Day, or telling two friends or family about 211. Ask them to do the same and keep the momentum going.