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Gatineau, Quebec

819 Area Code

Build a credible local presence in Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières and central-western Quebec with an 819 area code number. A recognized local number improves answer rates and builds trust with French- and English-speaking customers across the region.

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About 819 Area Code

Area code 819 covers a wide stretch of central and western Quebec, Canada, serving major cities including Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Drummondville, Shawinigan, Victoriaville, Rouyn-Noranda, and Val-d'Or. Introduced in 1957 after a split from the original Quebec area code 514, it was one of ten new codes created that year and the third ever assigned in the province. The region spans several administrative areas: Outaouais, Estrie, Mauricie, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and Centre-du-Québec. Two overlays now share the same geography: 873, added in 2012, and 468, activated in October 2022, both introduced by the CRTC to address growing number demand without disrupting existing subscribers.

The 819 region blends government, academia, manufacturing, and natural resources. Gatineau sits directly across the Ottawa River from Canada's federal capital, making it a hub for government contractors, consulting firms, and bilingual professional services. Sherbrooke hosts the Université de Sherbrooke and a strong healthcare cluster, while Trois-Rivières and the Mauricie region support industrial and forestry operations. A local 819 number signals presence to both French- and English-speaking customers, which matters in a region where bilingual credibility drives trust. Businesses use these numbers for client intake, appointment scheduling, field operations, and government-facing communications.

FoneSwift lists live 819 inventory on this page. You can filter by Voice, SMS, and MMS capability before purchasing. Because 819 shares its geography with overlays 873 and 468, any of these three codes can provide a recognizable local Quebec number for the same region. If 819 inventory is temporarily limited, choosing 873 or 468 reaches the identical calling area without compromising local credibility.

If your business serves the Gatineau-Ottawa corridor or the broader Quebec interior, display numbers in both local and E.164 formats, such as (819) 555-1234 and +1 819 555 1234, to accommodate both Canadian and international contacts. Canadian A2P messaging requires CRTC-compliant registration for business SMS campaigns, so plan that step before launching outbound text workflows. For number porting, our porting guide covers carrier coordination; typical Canadian port-ins complete within five to ten business days.


CountryCanada
StateQuebec
Area code819
Primary citiesGatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Drummondville, Rouyn-Noranda
TimezoneAmerica/Toronto (EST/EDT)
CreatedJanuary 1, 1957
International Format+1 819 XXX XXXX
Local Format(819) XXX-XXXX

10-digit dialing is mandatory within the 819 region as mandated by the CRTC since October 21, 2006. For business SMS campaigns into Canada, follow CRTC guidelines for commercial messaging and carrier registration requirements.


Area code 819 observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) in winter and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4) in summer. Quebec follows standard Canadian Daylight Saving Time, shifting clocks forward in March and back in November.


Local 819 numbers are well recognized across central and western Quebec and the Gatineau-Ottawa corridor. If 819 inventory is limited, overlay codes 873 and 468 serve the identical geographic territory and carry the same regional credibility.

Quick Facts about 819 Area Code

Interesting tidbits about this area code 819

Triple overlay complex

819 now operates alongside two overlays: 873, activated in 2012, and 468, launched in October 2022. The CRTC added both to prevent number exhaustion without requiring existing customers to change their numbers.

Once reached the Arctic

Before 1997, area code 819 extended from the Quebec-US border all the way to the Northwest Territories, making it one of the geographically largest area codes in North American history. The creation of area code 867 finally trimmed it back to western Quebec.

Ottawa-Gatineau shared calling area

Gatineau and Ottawa form a single local calling area that crosses a provincial border, a relatively rare setup in the NANP. Calls between the two cities are local even though they span Ontario and Quebec.

Bilingual region

The 819 zone is one of Quebec's most bilingual areas, particularly in Gatineau and the Outaouais, where proximity to Ottawa creates a large English-speaking community alongside the French-majority population.

Mandatory 10-digit dialing since 2006

The CRTC made 10-digit dialing mandatory across the 819 region on October 21, 2006, well ahead of many other Canadian area codes, to prepare for the overlay era.

Canadian Museum of History

Gatineau is home to the Canadian Museum of History, one of the most visited museums in Canada. The distinctive building by architect Douglas Cardinal sits on the banks of the Ottawa River with a direct view of Parliament Hill.

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How Does Local 819 Phone Numbers Work?

A local business number is a structured telephone identifier that tells networks where to route calls and messages. When you use a 819 number in Gatineau and Quebec, the digits signal the international gateway, the geographic region, the local exchange and the specific subscriber, so calls reach the right destination quickly and reliably.

The typical parts of a Canada local number are:

  • Country code (+1): identifies Canada for international routing.
  • Area code (819): directs the call to the Gatineau / Quebec region.
  • Central office / exchange (eg. 555): narrows the call to a local switching area or rate center.
  • Subscriber number (eg. 1234): the unique line assigned to a person, extension, or device.

Example formats:

International Format (E.164)+1 819 555 1234
Local Format (National)(819) 555-1234

Quick Dialing Guide

The correct formats to reach 819 numbers locally and globally.

From Landlines

Standard Canada Format

Use for domestic long-distance calls within Canada.

From Mobile

E.164 International

The universal format. Works on any mobile device, anywhere.

International

From abroad

Dialing from outside Canada (exit code 00 varies by country).


With FoneSwift, your 819 number can be instantly configured through our intuitive dashboard. Connect it to call forwarding rules, AI voice agents, IVR menus, or route calls directly to any device. Enable voice, SMS, and MMS capabilities right from your account, no technical setup required. Your number becomes active immediately after purchase, and you can update routing, business hours, and integrations anytime.

For businesses, local numbers offer clear benefits: higher answer rates, stronger local recognition, and better performance for local campaigns and customer trust. Typical business features include call forwarding, call recording, auto-attendants, voicemail-to-email, and multi-device ringing.

Important operational notes:

  • SMS & A2P: If you plan to send application-to-person messages from a 819 number, register your traffic where required and follow carrier rules (10DLC/A2P) to avoid deliverability or throughput issues.
  • Number Porting: Bring your existing 819number to FoneSwift seamlessly. Our team handles the entire porting process, simply submit your number details and we'll coordinate with your current provider. Porting typically completes within 5-10 business days, and you'll receive updates at each step. There's no service interruption during the transfer.
  • Display & formatting: Always publish numbers in both local and E.164 formats so international and mobile users can easily dial.

Ready to get started? Browse available 819 numbers in the phone numbers section above, you'll see real-time availability and can filter by features like voice, SMS, and MMS. Once you find your perfect number, purchase it in seconds and start making calls immediately. Our team is here to help you choose the right setup for your business needs, whether you're setting up AI receptionists, call forwarding, or SMS campaigns. Start your 14-day free trial today, no credit card required.

How to Get a 819 Phone Number

Buying a local 819 phone number using FoneSwift is easy and takes just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps to get your local 819 phone number and start connecting with customers in Canada today.

1

Create a new account on FoneSwift or sign in to your existing account to get started.

2

Once logged in, you'll be taken to your FoneSwift dashboard where you can manage all your phone numbers and settings.

3

Click on Settings in the sidebar, then go to "My Numbers" and click the "Add a Number" button.

4

Choose Canada as your country from the dropdown menu.

5

Select Local as the type of number, then choose the 819 area code from the available options.

6

Click the "Search" button to see all available phone numbers with the selected area code.

7

Browse through the available numbers, select one that fits your needs, click "Buy Number", and confirm your purchase.

8

Your number is now active! Start making and receiving calls from the FoneSwift Dialer immediately.

9

You can configure your number to handle calls, forward calls, or even create an AI voice agent to handle the calls for you.

Businesses Using 819 Phone Numbers

The 819 region spans government, education, healthcare, manufacturing, and natural resources across central and western Quebec. Local phone numbers help businesses connect with both French- and English-speaking customers and signal genuine regional presence.

Government services & consulting

Gatineau's proximity to the federal capital means contractors, lobbyists, and consulting firms rely on local 819 numbers to present a recognized Quebec-side presence to both government clients and bilingual partners.

Higher education & research

Universities such as the Université de Sherbrooke, UQTR (Trois-Rivières), and UQAT (Abitibi-Témiscamingue) generate steady telephony demand for admissions, research coordination, and student services.

Healthcare & patient services

Regional hospitals, clinics, and telehealth providers use local 819 numbers for appointment reminders, referrals, and patient follow-up. A local code improves recognition and answer rates compared to national or toll-free lines.

Forestry & natural resources

Forestry companies, mining operations, and resource logistics businesses operating across Abitibi-Témiscamingue and Mauricie use local numbers for dispatch, supplier coordination, and site communications.

Manufacturing & industrial

The Trois-Rivières corridor has a long industrial heritage. Manufacturers use local lines for B2B sales, logistics coordination, customer support, and supplier relationships across the region.

Tourism & outdoor recreation

Ski resorts, outfitters, bed-and-breakfasts, and adventure tourism operators throughout the Eastern Townships and Mauricie region use local numbers for reservations, bookings, and seasonal visitor inquiries.

Why Choose 819 Local Phone Number for Your Business?

Discover the advantages of having a local phone number that builds trust, increases engagement, and drives results.

Local Trust
A local phone number signals a nearby presence. Customers are more likely to answer and convert when they see a familiar code on caller ID.
Local Presence
Appear local in business listings and directories; a regional number increases relevance and attracts more nearby customers.
Higher Answer Rates
Local phone numbers generally receive higher answer and callback rates than toll-free lines, helping you connect with leads faster.
Two-Way SMS
Send and receive SMS/MMS using a regional number for appointment reminders, promotions, and customer support—improving engagement and delivery.
Campaign Tracking
Assign local numbers to specific campaigns or locations to track call sources, measure ROI, and optimize marketing by region.
Smart Routing
Leverage call routing, recording and analytics on local numbers to optimize staffing, monitor quality, and comply with regional telecom rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

What cities does the 819 area code cover?

Area code 819 covers central and western Quebec, including Gatineau, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, Drummondville, Shawinigan, Victoriaville, Rouyn-Noranda, Val-d'Or, Magog, and Mont-Laurier, among many smaller communities.

When was area code 819 created?

Area code 819 was put into service in 1957, formed by splitting portions of the original Quebec area codes 414 and 514 to handle growing telephone demand in central and western Quebec.

What are the overlay area codes for 819?

Area code 819 has two overlays: 873, introduced on September 15, 2012, and 468, activated on October 22, 2022. All three codes serve the same geographic territory and use the same 10-digit dialing format.

Is 10-digit dialing required for 819 numbers?

Yes. The CRTC made 10-digit dialing mandatory across the 819 region on October 21, 2006. You must dial the full area code plus the seven-digit number for every local call within the region.

Can I get an SMS-capable 819 number through FoneSwift?

Yes, FoneSwift lists live 819 numbers with Voice and SMS capability indicators. Use the search widget on this page to check current availability. If 819 inventory is limited, overlays 873 or 468 cover the same region.

What timezone is area code 819 in?

Area code 819 is in the Eastern Time Zone. It observes Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) in winter and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4) in summer, following standard Canadian Daylight Saving Time rules.

Is 819 a toll-free number?

No, 819 is a geographic local area code for central and western Quebec. Toll-free codes in Canada use prefixes such as 800, 888, or 877. A local 819 number typically performs better for regional trust and answer rates.

How do I buy an 819 local phone number through FoneSwift?

Search for available 819 numbers using the widget on this page, select your preferred capabilities (Voice, SMS, MMS), and complete checkout. Routing, IVR, and integrations can be configured immediately after purchase.

Can I port my existing 819 number to FoneSwift?

Porting is supported when your current carrier allows a geographic port-in. Canadian port transfers typically take five to ten business days. Start a port request from your FoneSwift dashboard and our team will coordinate with your existing carrier.

Where can I find official information about area code 819?

Authoritative sources include the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNAC) at cnac.ca, the CRTC at crtc.gc.ca, and the Wikipedia article on area codes 819, 873, and 468 for detailed history and service-area boundaries.
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