National emergency alert system to be tested on Wednesday in much of Canada

Canada’s National Public Alerting System (NPAS) is currently conducting tests on television, radio, and compatible wireless devices throughout most of the country on Wednesday. These tests will be taking place in eight provinces and the three territories, with Alberta and Quebec being the only exceptions for this month.

The system, known as Alert Ready, is responsible for delivering critical alerts regarding events such as tornadoes, flooding, fires, and Amber alerts. During the tests, the sound will simulate the tone of an emergency alert, but there is no need for action from the public.

It is important to note that some phones may not receive the alert due to various factors such as device compatibility, lack of connection to an LTE or 5G network, cell tower coverage, or device software and settings. A comprehensive list of compatible wireless devices can be found on the Alert Ready website.

The NPAS is a collaborative effort between federal, provincial, and territorial governments, with each province having the autonomy to decide on their participation. The tests in May are being conducted in conjunction with Emergency Preparedness Week, during which Public Safety Canada offers an emergency preparedness guide on their website for Canadians to utilize.

For those interested in the specific testing times for May 7, the schedule is as follows:

– British Columbia: 1:55 p.m. PT
– Manitoba: 1:55 p.m. CT
– New Brunswick: 10:55 a.m. AT
– Newfoundland and Labrador: 10:45 a.m. NT
– Northwest Territories: 9:55 a.m. MT
– Nova Scotia: 1:55 p.m. AT
– Nunavut: 2:00 p.m. ET
– Ontario: 12:55 p.m. ET
– Prince Edward Island: 12:55 p.m. AT
– Saskatchewan: 1:55 p.m. CT
– Yukon: 1:55 p.m. YT

These tests serve as an essential part of ensuring the effectiveness and reliability of the National Public Alerting System in keeping Canadians informed and safe during times of emergency.