St. John’s humanitarian efforts first came ashore in Canada close to 400 years ago — in the early 17th century — with the second Governor of New France (now Quebec) being a member of the Order of St. John.

In 1883 in Quebec City, the first Canadian branch of St. John Ambulance to teach first aid courses was established. Shortly thereafter courses were being offered in Kingston, Ontario. In the next 10 years, St. John Ambulance grew to be a national organization and in 1892 it had 12 branches teaching first aid from coast-to-coast. In those early years, alongside the continued growth in first aid training, St. John Ambulance also began a proud tradition of volunteer work in our communities. Soon the volunteers of St. John became a common and welcome sight in times of emergency in communities across the country.

In any disaster, human or natural, St. John Ambulance Canada volunteers are there to offer assistance, expertise, caring and compassion. Our tradition of coming to the aid of Canadian communities reaches back well over a century.

In 2008, St. John Ambulance will be celebrating it’s 125th Anniversary!