Free CPR Training in Toronto: Where, When, and How to Sign Up
A real CPR C AED certification class — $0, every week, three Toronto venues.
Life Safe runs a free CPR C AED class every week in Toronto — at venues in Chinatown (222 Spadina), East York (1774 Danforth), and the Junction/Etobicoke (2381 Dundas West). It’s about 4 hours long, includes hands-on manikin practice and AED training, and ends with a certificate of completion. Cost: $0. Book a seat on the Free CPR page.
Why a free CPR class exists
Bystander CPR more than doubles a person’s chance of surviving cardiac arrest outside a hospital (Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada). The biggest barrier isn’t capability — it’s that most people have never been shown how. Cost is part of that, especially for parents, students, neighbours of older adults, and anyone who’s been meaning to learn but kept putting it off.
Life Safe runs the free CPR course every week because we think the cost of not knowing is higher than the cost of running the class. We’re one of the few first aid companies in Ontario that does this consistently, year-round.
What’s included
- Adult, child, and infant CPR — compressions, rescue breaths, and the correct technique for each age group
- AED training — how to use an automated external defibrillator from a public access cabinet
- Choking response — back blows and abdominal thrusts for adults and children; back blows and chest thrusts (never abdominal) for infants
- Hands-on practice on real CPR manikins with feedback equipment
- A certificate of completion you can take home the same day
Where the classes happen
Free CPR rotates between Life Safe’s three Toronto venues:
Downtown / Chinatown
222 Spadina Ave — accessible from Spadina station via streetcar, walking distance from Kensington Market and the Entertainment District.
East York / Danforth
1774 Danforth Ave — near Coxwell Station, on the Danforth subway line.
Junction / Etobicoke
2381 Dundas St W — near Dundas West station and the Bloor GO line.
What this course is — and isn’t
This is a community CPR class. It’s a real, hands-on certificate you can list on a resume, show a babysitting client, or use as proof that you’ve been trained. It’s the same skills curriculum as our paid CPR C AED course.
What it’s not: a WSIB-approved workplace certification under an agency like Heart and Stroke or Red Cross. If your employer needs you to be the designated first aider on your shift under Ontario Regulation 1101, you’ll need a paid course that issues a WSIB-approved certificate. See our explainer on WSIB approval for the difference.
Who usually takes it
- New parents who want infant CPR confidence
- Grandparents and caregivers of young children
- Family members of people with heart conditions
- Students filling out applications (med school, paramedic, nursing prereqs)
- Babysitters and nannies
- Gym-goers and trainers
- People who witnessed something scary and decided “next time I want to know what to do”
How to book
Pick a date on the Free CPR page, register, and show up. No card on file, no upsell during the class. Bring something to write with — that’s it.
Spots fill up fast, especially in spring and back-to-school season. If a Sunday is full, check the next two weeks across the three venues — there’s almost always something available.
Reserve a free spot
Real CPR certification, taught by certified instructors, three Toronto venues. $0.
Sources & medical review
Written and reviewed by Milos Radojcic (Canadian Red Cross / Heart & Stroke / Lifesaving Society First Aid & CPR Instructor, 10+ yrs; First Aid Instructor Trainer). CPR/AED skills content aligned with the Canadian Red Cross (2025), the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, and the 2025 ILCOR Basic Life Support consensus. Workplace-certification guidance reflects Ontario Regulation 1101 (WSIB first aid requirements). Last reviewed July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Life Safe’s free CPR course in Toronto actually free?
Yes — $0. It’s a real CPR C AED course taught by certified instructors with full hands-on manikin practice, and it ends with a certificate of completion. No catch, no upsell required, no card on file.
Does the free CPR course satisfy WSIB workplace requirements?
The free CPR course is designed for community members who want to learn life-saving skills — not for workplace compliance. If your employer specifically needs you certified for a workplace first aid role under Regulation 1101, you’ll need a paid course that issues a WSIB-approved certificate from a recognized agency such as Heart and Stroke, Red Cross, or Lifesaving Society.
Where are the free CPR classes held in Toronto?
Life Safe runs classes at three Toronto venues: 222 Spadina Ave in Chinatown/Downtown, 1774 Danforth Ave in East York, and 2381 Dundas St W in the Junction/Etobicoke area. The free CPR offering rotates between venues — pick the location and date that fits your schedule when you book.
How long is the free CPR class?
About 4 hours — the same length as the paid CPR C AED course. It covers chest compressions, rescue breaths, AED use, and choking response for adults, children, and infants. There’s a practical assessment at the end and you walk away with a certificate the same day.
Why does Life Safe offer this for free?
Because more people knowing CPR saves more lives. Survival rates from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest more than double when a bystander starts CPR before EMS arrives (Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada). Cost shouldn’t be the reason someone doesn’t learn. Life Safe is one of the few first aid companies in Ontario that runs free training every week.