Emergencies can happen at any moment and with little warning. Timely information is critical to ensure that Canadians can take the necessary steps to protect themselves, their families and their communities.
On Wednesday, a test of the National Public Alerting System (NPAS) will be conducted in most provinces and territories over television, radio, and wireless devices, the federal government announced Monday.
Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit S. Sajjan announced that, during this exercise, Public Safety Canada will test its own public alerting capability in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut and Yukon.
"The safety of Canadians is our top priority. That is why the Government of Canada is building and testing its capacity to share timely information to Canadians," Saijan said in a statement issued to media. "I would like to thank the provinces and territories that are supporting Public Safety Canada's participation in this important public test across the country."
People in Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island will receive a test message from their province or territory, as per usual practice. A test schedule can be found on the Alert Ready website.
Public Safety Canada has established the capability to issue alerts through the Government Operations Centre to communicate important information of nation-wide interest directly to the public using the NPAS.
Regular testing and evaluation of the NPAS is necessary to ensure that, when an emergency or disaster falling under federal responsibility occurs, the Government of Canada is prepared to deliver urgent and lifesaving warnings to the public.
