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How many days

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Canada

At least 72 hours

National figure

3

days

Read thisFederal pages differ on water. The checklist says 2 L a person a day for drinking, cooking and hygiene. The kit page also says about 4 L. Health Canada says 2 L to drink plus 2 L for cooking and cleaning.

Canada says to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours, a figure in federal guidance since at least 2008. Emergency Preparedness Week in May 2026 repeated it.

“Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.”
Read at the source ↗

The figure over time

0371014200820122016202020242008: 3 days
Days over time, from the first date we can document. Yellow marks a range.

Every dated step

  1. 3 May 2026

    Restated3

    Emergency Preparedness Week, 3 to 9 May 2026, repeats that households should assemble essentials to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.

    Government of Canada ↗Official

  2. 2008

    First seen3

    The federal guide '72 hours: Is your family prepared?' says to be prepared for a minimum of 72 hours. Earliest copy we read, not necessarily the first use.

    Government of Canada, Web Archive copy ↗Official