Look out, 519 and 226. Southwestern Ontario is getting a new area code | CBC News

People in southwestern Ontario should start getting used to dialing 382 at the beginning of their phone calls.

That’s the new area code joining the existing 226, 519 and 548 numbers.

Those area codes, according to the Canadian Numbering Administrator (CNA), are projected to be exhausted by July 2024.

The new area code will be implemented on June 17, 2023, and will be introduced gradually after that date, the Telecommunications Alliance says.

“After this date, consumers and businesses requesting a new phone number may receive one with the new area code will only be assigned to customers once there is no longer a sufficient supply of numbers with the existing area codes,” the alliance said in a news release.

“Numbers with the new 382 area code will only be assigned to customers once there is no longer a sufficient supply of numbers with the existing area codes.”

CBC Windsor asked residents Friday what they thought of the new area code. Most took it in stride. 

“That’s something new to get used to. That’s not a traditional Windsor phone number,” said Shawn Delacruz, who says he’s proud of his 519 prefix.

“There could be a better number.” 

Shelley Gilbert said that she believes over time people will get used to it like other new area codes that have come into being. 

 “If we need it, I think it speaks to population growth, so that’s a good thing for Windsor and Essex County.”