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Local Resources & Services

Essential Contacts for St. John's Residents

Bookmark this guide for quick access to utilities, government services, schools, transit, and emergency contacts in St. John's.

Emergency Services

911 — Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance)

Call 911 for any life-threatening emergency, crime in progress, or serious fire/medical situations.

Emergency Support Services

  • Police Non-Emergency: 709-729-8000
  • Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC)
  • RCMP: 709-772-0801
  • Poison Control: 1-800-567-8911
  • Suicide Prevention: 1-833-456-4566

Utilities & Essential Services

Newfoundland Power (Electricity)

  • Website: newfoundlandpower.com
  • Customer Service: 1-709-737-5600
  • Emergency (Outage): 1-800-737-1296
  • Online account management available
  • Average household bill: $140–180/month

Water & Sewer (St. John's City)

  • Website: stjohns.ca
  • City Service: 709-576-8000
  • Water quality is excellent from nearby reservoirs
  • Combined billing with property taxes

Natural Gas (Fortis NL)

  • Website: fortisnl.ca
  • Customer Service: 1-866-436-8784
  • Emergency: 1-877-436-8784
  • Not all areas have natural gas; check availability

Internet & Cable Providers

  • Eastlink: eastlink.ca | 1-800-900-2555
  • Rogers: rogers.com | 1-800-461-4379
  • Technician: technician.ca | 1-877-832-2646
  • Multiple providers available; compare speeds and prices

Government Services

Service NL (Provincial)

  • Website: servicenl.gov.nl.ca
  • Main Line: 709-729-2500
  • Services: Driver's license, vehicle registration, health card, ID
  • Multiple locations across St. John's metro
  • Online services available for many transactions

Service Canada

  • Website: canada.ca/service-canada
  • Phone: 1-888-622-6232
  • Services: Passports, SIN, benefits, tax returns
  • St. John's Service Canada office downtown

Income Tax (CRA)

  • Website: canada.ca/cra
  • Phone: 1-800-959-5525
  • Tip: Register address change online immediately after moving
  • File taxes annually (deadline: June 15 for self-employed)

Health Insurance Card

  • Website: gov.nl.ca/health
  • Phone: 709-729-6678
  • Apply at Service NL immediately upon arrival
  • Processing time: 4–6 weeks
  • Temporary coverage available while card is being processed

Education

Newfoundland & Labrador English School District (NLESD)

  • Website: nlesd.ca
  • Phone: 709-758-0080
  • Public schools serving St. John's metro
  • Register students before school year starts
  • School bus transportation available

Roman Catholic Education (Archdiocese)

  • Website: rcedne.ca
  • Phone: 709-726-3660
  • Faith-based schools with strong academic standards
  • Admission process begins January–February

Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN)

  • Website: mun.ca
  • Admissions: 709-737-8000
  • Atlantic Canada's largest comprehensive university
  • Located in St. John's; multiple programs
  • Online and part-time studies available

College of the North Atlantic (CNA)

  • Website: cna.nl.ca
  • Phone: 709-758-7657
  • Trades, technology, and business programs
  • Multiple campuses; flexible scheduling

Transit & Transportation

Metrobus (Public Transit)

  • Website: metrobus.com
  • Phone: 709-570-2000
  • Bus service throughout St. John's metro
  • Cash or PRESTO card payment
  • Monthly passes available
  • Discounts for students, seniors, and children

Taxi Services

  • Hackney Cabs: 709-753-3333
  • Buggy's Cabs: 709-777-7777
  • Uber: uber.com
  • Ride-sharing services available

Vehicle Services

  • CAA Newfoundland: 1-800-222-4357
  • Roadside assistance and breakdown service
  • Insurance and travel services
  • Membership provides benefits and discounts

Car Rental & Parking

  • Enterprise: 709-726-7177
  • Hertz: 709-754-3400
  • Budget: 709-753-2722
  • Street parking and paid lots throughout downtown

Healthcare & Medical Services

Health Sciences Centre (HSC)

  • Phone: 709-737-6979
  • Emergency: 709-737-6979
  • Main hospital for major medical services

Finding a Family Doctor

  • MCP Provider Search: gov.nl.ca/mcp
  • Register with a doctor immediately upon arrival
  • Many family doctors accepting new patients
  • Walk-in clinics available for urgent non-emergency care

Pharmacies

  • Shoppers Drug Mart: Multiple locations
  • Rexall Pharma Plus: Throughout St. John's
  • Independent pharmacies: Available citywide
  • Most accept all major drug plans

Mental Health Support

  • Community Mental Health: 709-737-4900
  • Crisis Line: 1-833-456-4566
  • 211 NL: 211nl.ca (community services directory)
  • Free and low-cost counselling available

Community & Recreation

St. John's Parks & Recreation

  • Website: stjohns.ca
  • Phone: 709-576-8000
  • City parks, trails, recreation programs
  • Community centres and swimming pools
  • Sports leagues and fitness classes

Libraries

  • St. John's Public Libraries: stjohns.ca
  • Multiple branches throughout the city
  • Free library cards for residents
  • Book collections, computers, programming

Community Centres & Sports

  • Multiple recreation centres with pools, gyms, arenas
  • Sports leagues: hockey, soccer, baseball, curling
  • Yoga, fitness classes, swimming lessons
  • Drop-in recreational programs year-round

Arts & Culture

  • Gutter Bookstore: Independent bookstore
  • LSPU Hall: Theatre and performance venue
  • Arts and Culture Centre: 709-753-4531
  • Regular concerts, theatre, exhibitions

Banking & Financial Services

Major Banks

  • RBC: rbc.com | Multiple branches
  • TD Bank: td.com | Downtown and metro locations
  • Bank of Montreal (BMO): bmo.com
  • Scotiabank: scotiabank.com
  • CIBC: cibc.com

Credit Unions

  • Newfoundland Credit Union: ncu.ca
  • Competitive rates and community focus
  • Multiple branches and ATMs

Financial Services

  • Mortgage brokers and advisors throughout the city
  • Investment advisors and wealth management
  • Insurance providers (home, auto, life)
  • Accounting and tax services

Shopping & Services

Grocery Stores

  • Loblaws (Dominion, Real Canadian Superstore): Multiple locations
  • Sobeys: Several locations across metro
  • Costco: Bulk purchasing, membership required
  • Independent markets: Various ethnic and specialty grocers

Shopping Centres

  • Avalon Mall: Downtown shopping and restaurants
  • The Shops at Avalon: Newer retail development
  • Park West Centre: West end shopping
  • Various plazas: Throughout St. John's neighborhoods

Home & Hardware

  • Home Depot: Large home improvement retailer
  • Rona: Home and building supplies
  • Home Hardware: Community-focused hardware stores

Helpful Websites

  • City of St. John's: stjohns.ca
  • Government of NL: gov.nl.ca
  • Government of Canada: canada.ca
  • 211 Newfoundland and Labrador: 211nl.ca (free community services directory)
  • Royal Newfoundland Constabulary: rnc.ca
  • Eastern Health: easternhealth.ca
  • NL Power: newfoundlandpower.com

Need More Local Information?

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