A test of the National Public Alerting System will interrupt radio and television broadcasts and take over compatible cell phones across Canada on Wednesday, Nov. 20.
The emergency alerting system launched March 2015 and is tested twice a year in spring and fall.
Today’s testing will happened across the country:
- British Columbia: 10:55 a.m. PT
- Alberta: 11:55 a.m. MT
- Northwest Territories: 1:55 p.m. MDT
- Yukon: 155: p.m. YST
- Saskatchewan: 1:55 CT
- Manitoba: 1:55 p.m. CT
- Ontario: 12:55 p.m. EST
- Nunavut: 2:00 p.m. EST
- New Brunswick: 10:55 a.m. AST
- Nova Scotia: 1:55 p.m. AST
- Prince Edward Island: 12:55 p.m. AT
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 10:45 a.m. NST
This test will assess the system’s readiness for an emergency and identify any required adjustments, the website notes.
“Alert Ready is Canada’s emergency alerting system,” it reads. “Alert Ready delivers critical and potentially life-saving alerts to Canadians through television, radio and LTE-connected and compatible wireless devices.”
Other similar interruptions include Amber Alerts, issued by police and severe weather warnings.
TV broadcasts, including CityNews, and radio broadcasts will be affected. You can watch CityNews 24/7 live or listen live to CityNews radio stations online.