A person uses a cellphone in Ottawa on Monday, July 18, 2022. The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

By The Canadian Press

EMERGENCY ALERT

Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today

May 8, 2024 | 8:00 AM

The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today.

That means Canadians in most provinces and territories will receive a test alert on their cellphones, as well as through TV and radio broadcasts.

The sole exception is Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.

Provincial and territorial emergency management organizations already conduct regular tests of the system, but this is the first time the federal government will test its capacity to issue alerts.

It will hold tests in eight provinces and territories, while provincial and territorial authorities will conduct tests in another four.

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The emergency alerts will be sent at 11:55 a.m. MDT in Alberta and Saskatchewan, 10:55 a.m. PDT in British Columbia, 1:55 p.m. CDT in Manitoba, 2:55 p.m. ADT in New Brunswick and at 1:55 p.m. ADT in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

The government says it recently signed an agreement to issue alerts on information of national interest that falls within federal jurisdiction.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 8, 2024.