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Our partner in
Building Safe Communities

We’re committed to giving back to our communities and teaching others how to stay safe. Through our partnerships, we’re grateful to have the opportunity to support training, promoting safe play across the province.

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Latest announcement

June 10, 2025

Lindsay, ON

Together, we’re celebrating the milestone of more than 25,000 students across the Kawartha Lakes region trained through the ACT High School CPR and AED Program.

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Why is the ACT Foundation a great partner?

2.9 million Ontario students have completed CPR training with ACT

The Advanced Coronary Treatment (ACT) Foundation is the national charitable organization dedicated to establishing free CPR and defibrillator training programs in high schools across Canada. CPR-trained students have saved countless lives, and will now learn how to respond to emergencies involving a suspected opioid overdose.

Through our partnership with The ACT Foundation, we’re ensuring students are trained to save lives and feel confident in emergencies through CPR and AED programs. ACT’s goal is to see all youth graduate with the skills and knowledge to save lives. Together we're building stronger, healthier and safer communities.

Recognizing the signs of sudden cardiac arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is the number one cause of death for youth and teen athletes during sports. All physical education and health teachers, coaches, and all who work in athletics should see this powerful 2-minute video by Dr. Jon Drezner, which shows recognition of SCA in athletes. Please share this video to help spread awareness to further keep your community safe.

Note: This production shows how to recognize SCA in an athlete, which may be triggering to some.

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Watch the video

Opioid Overdose Response Training Enhancement

New data from a survey conducted by Innovative Research Group reveals that as few as 18% of Ontarians feel confident enough to respond to a suspected opioid overdose, but seconds can make a huge difference in saving someone’s life. With support from Hydro One, the ACT Foundation is expanding their High School CPR & AED Program to include a new Opioid Overdose Response Training enhancement to nearly 80% of Ontario high schools, teaching students how to recognize and quickly respond to a medical emergency.

For more information on training, visit The ACT Foundation

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"We are thrilled with the commitment of ACT’s Ontario provincial partner, Hydro One”, says ACT Foundation Executive Director Sandra Clarke. “Their support is helping the ACT Foundation enable hundreds of thousands of students across the province to be emergency ready to respond to serious medical emergencies that can happen to their family members, friends, neighbors and others in their communities."

— Sandra Clarke, Executive Director, ACT Foundation

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, an estimated 35,000 people suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year. Early CPR and early use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can double the chances of survival. With 80 per cent of cardiac arrests occurring in homes and public places, empowering youth with CPR and AED training as part of their high school education is increasing citizen CPR response rates and saving lives.

With CPR, AED and the new Opioid Overdose Response Training, students become confident and empowered with the skills and knowledge to save the life of a family member, a teammate on the hockey rink, a child they are babysitting, or a stranger who is faced with a life threatening medical emergency.

Learn more about the ACT Foundation

"When students learn how to save a life, they share their skills with their family and community."

— Rose Booker, Retired Teacher, Durham Catholic District School Board

Rose has worked as a community champion with the ACT Foundation for 20 years, ensuring Durham students are equipped with the tools they need to quickly respond to a medical emergency.

Read Rose's story

Community Investment

See how we’re building safe communities across Ontario and energizing life where we live, work and play!

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