Emergency alert system tested in most of Canada Wednesday
Posted November 15, 2023 9:06 am.
Last Updated November 15, 2023 9:07 am.
OAKVILLE, Ont. – An alert will sound on the cell phones of many Canadians on Wednesday, as the national public alert system “On Alert” is tested across most of the country.
For the first time, a survey will be conducted after the test. Its aim is to identify the challenges faced by people with disabilities in perceiving, understanding and interacting with emergency alerts.
In Quebec, the system test is scheduled for 1:55 p.m. At that time, TV and radio broadcasts will be interrupted by a message, and compatible cell phones will receive an alert. However, it will be clearly indicated that this is a test and that no emergency situation is in effect.
The “Alert Ready” system is used when an emergency situation needs to be communicated to the population as a matter of priority. This could be an Amber Alert, the presence of an active shooter or the imminent arrival of a dangerous weather system, for example.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) requires that an alert test be carried out every year, either in May or November. The tests serve not only to validate the system’s efficiency and reliability, but also to increase public awareness of the system.
Elsewhere in the country, the tests will take place at 12:55 p.m. in Ontario, 10:55 a.m. (NST) in Newfoundland and Labrador, 10:55 a.m. (AST) in New Brunswick, 12:55 p.m. (AST) in Prince Edward Island and 1:55 p.m. (AST) in Nova Scotia.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Nov. 15, 2023.
