Canadian emergency alert system to be tested today
Posted November 14, 2023 1:12 pm.
Last Updated November 15, 2023 1:10 pm.
Canada’s emergency alert phone notification system is slated to be tested on Nov. 15.
Testing times vary by province, and the public can check the schedule on the Emergency Alert System’s website. In Ontario, the alert sounded on phones at 12:55 p.m. local time.
Emergency alerts issued typically begin with a loud, eight-second “alert ready tone” followed by the approved text of the alert.
Residents cannot opt out of receiving emergency alerts. Since there are requirements by the CRTC to distribute the alerts to LTE-compatible devices, it’s not currently possible.
The emergency alert team is also asking the public for their experiences with the system, and especially wants to hear from Canadians with disabilities.
The group is conducting a survey to identify challenges people with disabilities face when interacting with emergency alerts.
There is also a survey for the general public to give feedback on the tests.
Both surveys can be accessed on the Alert Ready website.
