Essential phone services, including the 911 emergency hotline, have malfunctioned in the northern part of Vancouver Island.

Parts of North Vancouver Island are currently experiencing a service outage, leaving residents without landline and mobile services in some areas. The disruption is due to damage to Telus infrastructure, according to a report published by The Canadian Press on September 3, 2025.

The report does not provide details about the extent of the damage, but it is attributed to vandalism, as Telus has stated. The affected areas include Port McNeill and Port Hardy, and other communities on Vancouver Island, such as Alert Bay, Campbell River, and Port Alice, have also been impacted.

Emergency Info B.C. advises residents to attempt calling 911 in case of an emergency. However, if 911 landline service is unavailable, residents are encouraged to seek help from neighbours or others nearby. The advice from Emergency Info B.C. assumes that some residents may still have access to a mobile or landline service for emergency calls.

In the absence of clear alternative methods for contacting emergency services, the report does not mention any alternative emergency response plans that have been put in place due to the service outage. The report also does not indicate whether there are any plans to restore the landline and cellphone service in the affected areas.

The advice from Emergency Info B.C. emphasizes the importance of community support during the service outage. With limited communication options available, neighbours and local communities are crucial in providing assistance to those in need.

As the situation continues to unfold, residents are encouraged to stay informed and follow updates from Emergency Info B.C. and local authorities. In the meantime, the importance of community support cannot be overstated as residents navigate this challenging period.