UPDATE: Alert Ready says that Alberta has cancelled its emergency notification test, which was scheduled for 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday.
Officials say the cancellation is due to ongoing wildfires in parts of the province. The test is still set to occur in every other province and territory, except for Quebec.
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On Wednesday, you will get a notice coming through your radio, television, or compatible wireless device. A test of Alert Ready is scheduled for May 7.
Alert Ready is the national public altering system, to notify Canadians of any disasters or emergency situations in a timely manner. The test message will simulate an emergency alert, which will indicate it is just a test and not a real emergency.
Below is when the emergency tests will take place across Canada:
- Alberta: 1:55 PM MST [update: cancelled]
- British Columbia: 1:55 PM PST
- Manitoba: 1:55 PM CST
- New Brunswick: 10:55 AM AST
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 10:45 AM NST
- Northwest Territories: 9:55 AM MST
- Nova Scotia: 1:55 PM AST
- Nunavut: 2:00 PM EST
- Ontario: 12:55 PM EST
- Prince Edward Island: 12:55 PM AST
- Saskatchewan: 1:55 PM CST
- Yukon: 1:55 PM YST
A test will not be conducted in Quebec.
Alert Ready says there are alternate options, including text-to-speech, for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted, but not every alerting authority or device can produce or receive alternate formats.
Canadians can check the compatibility of their device at the Alert Ready website.
EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK
The alert test coincides with it being the national Emergency Preparedness Week.
The theme for this year is ‘be prepared, know your risks’. Officials are reminding you to make sure you have an emergency kit prepped to last at least 72 hours and educate yourself on hazards like wildfires, floods, droughts and other natural disasters.
