National Emergency Strategic Stockpile (NESS)
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About
The National Emergency Strategic Stockpile (NESS) is a federally owned stockpile of medical assets managed by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Provinces and territories may request these assets during public health emergencies or events when their own resources are depleted or not immediately available.
These assets include:
- medical equipment and supplies, such as:
- ventilators
- cardiac monitors
- personal protective equipment
- pharmaceuticals, such as:
- vaccines
- therapeutics
- social service supplies, such as:
- beds
- blankets
The NESS also provides emergency triage units called mini-clinics, which:
- contain medical equipment and supplies
- adapt to different health emergencies
- help health care professionals assess and offer primary care to non-critical patients
Emergencies include:
- natural disasters, like:
- floods
- wildfires
- tornadoes
- earthquakes
- naturally occurring diseases, like:
- SARS
- H1N1
- Ebola
- COVID-19
- other chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear threats, like:
- anthrax
- smallpox
In Canada, emergencies are managed first at the local level. If assistance is needed at the local level, it can be requested from the province or territory. If the province or territory needs assistance, it can be requested from the federal government.
Request help
Provinces and territories can submit requests for assistance for supplies from the NESS to the Health Portfolio Operations Centre.
You can reach us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to submit a request by:
- Email: hpoc-cops@phac-aspc.gc.ca
- Telephone: 613-952-7940
Health care facilities and local or regional health departments should direct requests to their appropriate provincial ministry.
For non-emergency inquires about the NESS, please contact: ness-rnsu@phac-aspc.gc.ca
Coming soon
- The Public Health Agency of Canada is planning to post a Request for Information in late 2026 to gather insights from industry on surge models for personal protective equipment that could support the mandate of the NESS.
- The Public Health Agency of Canada will be hosting an information session for industry stakeholders in late 2026, providing insight on quality and regulatory expectations for medical devices procured by the National Emergency Strategic Stockpile.
For inquires about these upcoming activities, please contact: ness-rnsu@phac-aspc.gc.ca