PSA: Wireless Public Alerting Tests Coming Wednesday, Nov. 25 [Update]

Earlier this month we told you the next Alert Ready emergency alerting system was set to test wireless alerts on November 25, 2020.

Today, the CRTC has reminded Canadians the wireless public alerting tests will still be taking place on Wednesday, but except for Nunavut. Alert Ready tests will be taking place on TV, radio and on wireless devices connected to LTE and 5G networks.

“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,” explained the CRTC.

You can find a list of the local start times below (Nov. 25 update: Alberta’s test is cancelled):

• Yukon 1:55 PM (MST)
• Northwest Territories 9:55 AM (MST)
• Alberta 1:55 PM (MST); CANCELLED
• British Columbia 1:55 PM (PST)
• Saskatchewan 1:55 PM (CST)
• Manitoba 1:55 PM (CST)
• Newfoundland & Labrador 10:55 AM (NST)
• Nova Scotia 1:55 PM (AST)
• Prince Edward Island 12:55 PM (AST)
• New-Brunswick 10:55 AM (AST)
• Nunavut – no scheduled test
• Ontario 12:55 PM (EST)
• Quebec 1:55 PM (EST)

It’s not possible to disable emergency wireless alerts in Canada. You can try turning off your phone, enabling Airplane Mode or switching to 3G if you don’t want to get this alert (especially those that do shift work).