New area code coming to part of Ontario next year

Some Ontario residents will be getting phone numbers with a new area code starting next year.

The Telecommunications Alliance issued a news release Wednesday, reminding residents of a 2023 decision by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to introduce a new area code to meet demand for new phone numbers.

Regions currently serviced by area codes 416, 647, and 437 will get 942 added to the list.

The 942 area code will be introduced “gradually” beginning on April 26, 2025, the release said.

The CRTC notes that’s one year before the projected exhaust date of the existing area codes.

“The introduction of a new area code creates millions of additional telephone numbers without affecting the existing numbers,” said Kelly T. Walsh, program manager of the Canadian Numbering Administrator.

“The new 942 area code will be added to the current area codes already in use in this region and will cover the same geographic area.”

Beginning on April 26, those who request a new phone number might get one with the new number.

The introduction of the new area codes does not affect geographic boundaries for local calling areas or the way local or long-distance numbers are dialed, the release noted.

Special numbers like 911 are not affected.