If you've searched for first aid training in Canada, CPR certification, or emergency preparedness, you've likely come across St. John Ambulance Canada. For more than 140 years, St. John Ambulance has helped Canadians gain the skills, confidence, and resources they need to respond during emergencies and support healthier, safer communities.
Founded in Canada in 1883, St. John Ambulance is one of the country's oldest charitable organizations dedicated to health and safety. Today, we are Canada's leading provider of first aid and CPR training, certifying over 360,000 Canadians every year while delivering community programs that improve health, well-being, and emergency preparedness across the country.
Canada's Trusted First Aid and CPR Training Organization
St. John Ambulance is an approved provider of first aid training in every province and territory, meeting provincial regulatory requirements while delivering nationally recognized First Aid, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), mental health, and specialized workplace safety programs.
Our courses are designed for individuals, families, workplaces, schools, healthcare professionals, and anyone who wants the confidence to respond when someone needs help. First aid and CPR courses also include opioid awareness content, helping Canadians understand how to recognize and respond to an opioid poisoning.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Canadians choose St. John Ambulance for practical, hands-on training that prepares them for real-life situations.
More Than First Aid Training
While many people know St. John Ambulance for first aid training, our work extends far beyond the classroom.
We help Canadians prepare for emergencies through high-quality first aid kits, emergency preparedness supplies, AEDs, and workplace safety products. Our goal is simple: make lifesaving knowledge and equipment more accessible so Canadians are ready when the unexpected happens.
As a charitable organization, we rely on every course registration and product purchase to support community programs that make a difference across Canada.
Medical First Responders Serving Communities Across Canada
One of the defining features of St. John Ambulance is our volunteer network.
Thousands of dedicated Medical First Responders volunteer their time every year to provide first aid and medical support at concerts, festivals, sporting events, community celebrations, and other public events. They also assist communities during disasters and evacuations when additional support is needed.
Their commitment helps make public events safer while strengthening emergency response capacity in communities across the country.
Therapy Dogs Improving Mental Health and Well-Being
Since 1992, the St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program has connected specially trained volunteer teams with people who benefit from comfort, companionship, and emotional support. Therapy Dog teams visit hospitals, schools, long-term care homes, libraries, post-secondary institutions, community organizations, and more.
These visits can help reduce stress and anxiety, encourage social interaction, and support overall well-being for children, adults, and seniors. Every year, thousands of Canadians experience the positive impact of spending time with a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog.
Building Safer, Stronger Communities
Everything we do is guided by one purpose: helping Canadians care for one another.
Whether we're teaching someone CPR for the first time, providing first aid coverage at a community event, supporting people during emergencies, or helping improve mental wellness through Therapy Dogs, we're working toward the same goal: a Canada where more people are prepared to help when it matters most.
For over 140 years, St. John Ambulance has earned the trust of Canadians through education, volunteer service, and community programs. As Canada's leading provider of first aid training and CPR education, we remain committed to making lifesaving knowledge accessible while helping build healthier, safer, and more resilient communities from coast to coast.
Whether you're looking to take a first aid course, to become CPR certified, purchase a first aid kit, volunteer as a Medical First Responder or Therapy Dog handler, or learn more about emergency preparedness, St. John Ambulance is here to help.
Together, we can build a Canada where more people have the skills, confidence, and compassion to care for one another and support their communities when it matters most.
Erik Rowell
Director, Operations – St. John Ambulance National Office
About the Author
Erik Rowell is the Director, Operations at St. John Ambulance, where he helps advance
operational strategies and support the organization's programs and services across
Canada. With extensive experience in operations, project management, enterprise
applications, and organizational strategy, Erik brings a strong focus on improving systems
and processes that support St. John Ambulance's mission.
Throughout his career with St. John Ambulance, Erik has contributed to the oversight of
community programs and led complex projects focused on information technology,
enterprise applications, and integrations. His experience in strategic planning, operational
management, and organizational improvement supports St. John Ambulance's continued
work to provide high-quality training, resources, and community-based services to
Canadians.