Canada testing emergency alert system: Here is when you will receive it in Quebec

Canada’s national public alerting system, Alert Ready, will be distributing a test across the nation on May 8.

The sound will simulate an emergency alert, with this distinct tone, on television, radio and compatible wireless devices.

“The Alert Ready system is a critical service that helps keep Canadians safe,” said Director of Public Alerting at Pelmorex, Martin Belanger, in a news release Monday. “Testing provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the Alert Ready system.”

“And to validate that it works as intended,” he added. “In case of an actual emergency.”

Reminder: There will be a #TestAlert of the #AlertReady system on Wednesday, May 8.

Find out if your province/territory is participating: https://t.co/tNJXtLcRfY https://t.co/Ug7sRy8hKO

— Alert Ready (@AlertReady) May 6, 2024

The Alert Ready system is designed to deliver critical and potentially life-saving alerts to Canadians, like AMBER alerts, tornadoes, flooding, fires and more.

The test message is set to be issued to Quebecers at 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday.

This is part of Emergency Preparedness Week, taking place May 5 to 11 in Canada.

“The safety of Canadians is our top priority,” said Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada, in a news release.

“That is why the Government of Canada is building and testing its capacity to share timely information to Canadians.”

In 2023, the Alert Ready system distributed over 1,000 emergency alerts across Canada.

Montreal also carrying out its annual warning siren test Wednesday

Between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on May 8 the city will be coordinating a warning siren test.

This simulation is to raise awareness as to how to stay safe in case of an incident involving the release of a toxic substance.

“The safety of all citizens is a priority,” said Alain Vaillancourt, executive committee member in charge of public security, in a press release. “Residents must be ready to react in case of a toxic release.”

“This is why we are taking proactive action, together with the industrial plants to coordinate technical tests in potentially affected areas.”

As part of this simulation, the ten participating plants will take turns sounding the alarm that will be heard across the potentially exposed area.

These warning sirens are meant to let people know that they must take shelter quickly.

● Enter the nearest building as fast as possible.
● Close all doors, windows and ventilation systems.
● Refrain from going to pick up your children from school, in order to avoid any danger
to yourself or your children.
● Keep phone lines free.
● Follow directives issued by authorities