You will likely hear an alert coming through your device or on our radio stations on Wednesday.
A nationwide test of the Alert Ready system is scheduled for 12:55 p.m. Eastern time in Ontario.
Alert Ready is the official conduit of emergency alert messages, and it operates through television and radio stations, as well as through internet and cell phone providers.
In an actual emergency, such as a major evacuation, a tornado, severe weather, or others, Alert Ready broadcasts an emergency notification through TV, radio, and personal devices.
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) requires wireless service providers and broadcasters to put out at least one test alert per year, either in May during Emergency Preparedness Week and/or November.
Cellphone users can not opt out of receiving the alerts.
If, for some reason, your device does not get a test on Wednesday, it could be because your phone is not compatible or your phone's settings may not allow alerts. Having a phone that is not connected to an LTE or 5G network may also be a reason.
People are asked not to call 911 with questions or complaints about the test. 911 is for life-or-death emergencies only, and using it for non-emergency inquiries may hamper the ability of first responders to react in a situation in which every minute counts.