Next Wireless Public Alerting Tests Coming to your Cellphone on Nov. 27

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has announced the next wireless public alerting tests will take place on Wednesday, November 27, 2019, across Canada (except for Nunavut).

Public alerting tests will be on TV, radio and compatible mobile devices connected to an LTE wireless network.

“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 in a press release.

The time alerts will take place are listed below:

• Alberta – 1:55 PM (MST)
• British-Colombia – 1:55 PM (PST)
• Manitoba – 1:55 PM (CST)
• New-Brunswick – 10:55 AM (AST)
• Newfoundland & Labrador – 10:55 AM (NST)
• Northwest Territories – 9:55 AM (MST)
• Nova Scotia – 1:55 PM (AST)
• Nunavut – *No test*
• Ontario – 2:55 PM (EST)
• Prince Edward Island – 12:55 PM (AST)
• Quebec – 1:55 PM (EST)
• Saskatchewan – 1:55 PM (CST)
• Yukon – 1:55 PM (PST)

According to the CRTC, over 125 emergency alerts have been successfully sent out since January of 2019, which include Amber Alerts and more.

It is not possible to disable wireless public alerts, according to the CRTC. You can set a reminder for yourself to turn on Airplane Mode a minute or two before the time above, if you don’t want to be disturbed.