Skip to content

Public alerting tests to be conducted in Canada on May 5

According to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), on May 5, all provincial and territorial emergency management organizations will conduct public alerting tests in Canada, except for Ontario, Quebec, Nova-Scotia and
alert sign

According to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), on May 5, all provincial and territorial emergency management organizations will conduct public alerting tests in Canada, except for Ontario, Quebec, Nova-Scotia and Nunavut. As such, test alerts will be distributed on TV, radio and compatible mobile devices connected to a LTE (long-term evolution) or a newer wireless network (5G) in all provinces and territories.

Ongoing testing of the National Public Alerting System provides an opportunity for stakeholders to validate and improve the system's performance and reliability to ensure it operates as intended in the event of a life-threatening situation.

The messages will be identified as test alerts and will not require Canadians to take action.

They will be sent out according to the following schedule:

May 5, 2021

Alberta

1:55 PM (MDT)

British Columbia

1:55 PM (PDT)

Manitoba

1:55 PM (CDT)

New Brunswick

10:55 AM (ADT)

Newfoundland & Labrador

10:55 AM (NDT)

Northwest Territories

1:55 PM (MDT)

Nova Scotia

*no test scheduled*

Nunavut

*no test scheduled*

Ontario

*no test scheduled*

Prince Edward Island

12:55 PM (ADT)

Quebec

*no test scheduled*

Saskatchewan

1:55 PM (CST)

Yukon

1:55 PM (PDT)

For a wireless device to receive a test alert, it must be:

Connected to an LTE wireless or a newer wireless network (5G) at the time the test alert is issued;

Capable of receiving wireless public alerts; and

Equipped with a recent Canadian version of its operating software.

If a mobile device meets these conditions and did not receive the test message, Canadians should contact their wireless service provider.

To learn more about test alerts, Canadians should visit Alert Ready.