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Keep a Canadian phone number active abroad.
Keep the number active, ask the new provider to manage the transfer, and confirm any local exchange or service-area constraint before cancelling.
The CRTC advises arranging number retention with the new provider before cancellation. Geographic exchange constraints can apply, especially when moving between service types.
Long-term strategies
A low-cost Canadian wireless plan is generally the strongest anchor for important verification. Wi-Fi calling can reduce roaming dependence, but setup, device and country restrictions must be checked. VoIP may lower the cost for calls while reducing short-code compatibility.
Moving countries
Keep the Canadian number only for legacy accounts that still need it, and add a local carrier number for new-country services. This reduces the pressure on one number to satisfy two different markets.