Most provinces in Canada, including Ontario, will receive an emergency alert this week — here's why and when
When you hear an emergency alert on Wednesday, May 7, don't worry; it's only a test.
Canada's National Public Alerting System is co-ordinating a test of the Alert Ready emergency system Wednesday across most provinces and territories.
In Ontario, the test will happen at 12:55 p.m. Eastern Time.
The national test will be conducted over compatible wireless devices, TV and radio.
Provincial emergency management organizations across the country are conducting the test — in Ontario, Emergency Management Ontario is the organization in charge.
The National Public Alerting System said not all Canadians will receive the test on their mobile device. This is dependent on whether your cellphone is compatible, is connected to an LTE or 5G network, cell tower coverage and device software and settings.
'Given the importance of warning Canadians of an imminent threat to the safety of life or property, Canadians do not have an option to opt out of the test or actual emergency alerts,' the organization said in a news release.
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) requires wireless service providers and broadcasters to send at least one test per year.
Tests happen either in May during Emergency Preparedness Week or in November.
The test is intended to increase public awareness of the system so Canadians can be ready in the event of an actual emergency, as well as to validate the effectiveness and reliability of the system and to provide an opportunity to emergency management officials to practise sending alerts.
The Alert Ready system was developed in collaboration with the federal, provincial and territorial governments, Pelmorex, the broadcasting industry and wireless service providers.
'Alert Ready is designed to deliver critical and potentially life-saving alerts to Canadians, including, but not limited to, tornadoes, flooding, fires and amber alerts,' the news release said.
The organization said Alert Ready has delivered 877 public emergency alert messages in Canada since 2024.
More information is available at
alertready.ca
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
8 hours ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Beachburg resident is honoured with Sovereign Medal for Volunteers
Beachburg – A Beachburg resident who has enhanced the life of his community in numerous ways, has been recognized for his many decades of volunteer service by being awarded the Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers. Barry Stephen's contributions have enriched many facets of community life. These include approximately 50 years as choir director at St. Andrew's United Church in Beachburg, as well as pianist and organist at the church as and when needed, and long years of service on the board of trustees of the church. His musical skills and talents have also reached out to the wider community in various ways over many of his 85 years. These include serving for 20 years as musical director of the Valley Harmonizers seniors' barbershop chorus. He was also a member of the Beachburg Lions Club for seven years. The Beachburg Fair Committee has been a beneficiary of his generosity with his time and effort for 15 years, including terms as president, vice president, and past president. Further, he has served for approximately 15 years as 4-H beef leader, which involved participating in shows at fairs in Beachburg, Renfrew and Ottawa, as well as at the Royal Winter Fair in Toronto. The medal presentation was made by Fred Blackstein, a member of the Order of Canada. The ceremony was incorporated into a local celebration of the 100th anniversary of the United Church of Canada, of which the Beachburg church where Mr. Stephen has given so many volunteer hours is a member. Equally appropriate was the venue for the occasion: the Heritage Hall at the Beachburg Fair Grounds, which originally was built as the exhibit hall for the fair and which continues to serve in that capacity at the annual event. 'We were given the choice of having the medal presented at Rideau Hall, where the Governor General might be able to do it, or having it presented here, among family and friends and community members, which I preferred,' said Mr. Stephen. An official honour created by the Crown, the medal is part of the Canadian Honours System, part of the Chancellery of Honours administered by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General. The medal recognizes living Canadians who have made a significant, sustained, and unpaid contribution to their community. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Philippines Independence Day festivities in Fort St. John focus on family
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Filipino-Canadians gathered at Festival Plaza for a joyous, casual occasion to celebrate their heritage in what could be described as one word: family. Philippines Independence Day celebrations were held in Fort St. John on Sunday, June 8th, with dignitaries and residents – both Filipino and non-Filipino – enjoying an afternoon filled with dancing, songs and food. The gathering was organized by the North Peace Filipino-Canadian Association, also known as Bayanihan Fort St. John, during Filipino Heritage Month in June . The day celebrates the independence of the Philippines, an island country in Asia with 18 administrative regions and 7,641 islands, from Spanish colonial rule in 1898. Organizer Ovvian Castrillo-Hill told – and later the crowd who came out – just why this celebration is important, especially in the wake of the tragedy at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver. 'It's a little bit more casual,' said Castrillo-Hill. '[It's] a little bit more serene. This is about enjoying each other's company and the food. 'I think this period for the Filipino community, all over B.C. and Canada, is more of healing, is more of strengthening.' Mayor Lilia Hansen was there, alongside her husband Ron and councillors Gord Klassen, Sarah MacDougall, Jim Lequiere and Tony Zabinsky. Peace River North MLA Jordan Kealy also joined the festivities later. Lunch was served to guests and entertainment followed. 'I want to give heartfelt gratitude for how you have become part of the community,' said Hansen. 'You make it stronger and having your celebrations and inviting us to be part of it, giving us a chance to get to know you and your culture more.' It was a family affair for Elvin Iglesias, who assisted in organizing the pot-luck lunch. He said being around his brethren made him feel 'happy.' 'We celebrate the things we do and we make,' said Iglesias. 'We also have exhibits [with] the art and sculptures. It's a day for us to gather all Filipinos as one.' It was also special for one family: Shandice and Jarred Castle, who were celebrating their anniversary. 'I'm not Filipino, but it's nice to be a part of this event,' said Jarred. 'It kind of makes our anniversary feel more meaningful.' Shandice agreed, saying: 'It means so much. It's such a family-oriented culture, and we love to be hospitable and share in celebration.' A dance troupe headed by Lorna Nyffler performed a regional dance, and singers including Elysia Cruz and Romina Tolentino sang both Filipino and popular songs, including a rendition of Beyonce's hit 'Halo'. Philippines Independence Day is celebrated annually by the island nation on June 12th. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Native Centre marks Indigenous History Month with talks of restoring totem pole
As Canadians take time this month to recognize Indigenous history, the Niagara Regional Native Centre is moving ahead with plans to restore the 25-foot totem pole that has stood outside its Niagara-on-the-Lake building since 1988. 'It is in dire need of restoration right now,' said Halley Irwin, director of development and community engagement. The Thunderbird totem pole, carved by Chief Mathias Joe of the Squamish Nation in Vancouver, was commissioned by Davis Lumber in St. Catharines in 1955 as a piece of art to promote the company's ties to Western Canada. At that time, it was billed as the largest totem pole east of the Rockies, said Irwin. Approximately 25 feet high with a 14-foot wingspan, the pole was moved to the centre in 1988 after the lumber company closed. But after spending the last 70 years outdoors, the totem pole is in desperate need of restoration, Irwin said. 'It should be a solid piece of wood and we know that there are definitely some hollow spots in it right now,' she said. 'We currently know that there are a family of squirrels living in it.' Irwin said the centre is hoping to start restoration this year in late summer to early fall. 'It'll likely be a two or three-week process,' she said. A campaign to raise funds for the project, which will cost more than $150,000, is expected to launch a few weeks before restoration starts. Now in its 53rd year, the centre has grown into a key hub for more than 2,000 Indigenous people across the Niagara region. National Indigenous History Month takes place in June and honours the history, contributions and strength of First Nation, Inuit and Métis people. National Indigenous Peoples Day is June 21. With Six Nations of the Grand River Reserve and Mississaugas of the Credit Reserve located about 100 kilometres away, the Niagara centre fills a vital role, Irwin said. 'It's important to have a gathering place for urban Indigenous people,' she said. And since 65 per cent of registered Indigenous people live off-reserve, Irwin said having a local space for community and cultural connection is essential. The centre services First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in NOTL, St. Catharines, Thorold, Niagara Falls, Welland, Lincoln, West Lincoln, Pelham and Grimsby — offering 27 largely social-service-based programs, as well as public and private events, Irwin said. It's been around since 1972 and moved to its current location on Airport Road in the '80s. Its aims include supporting cultural and social interests, addressing social and economic challenges, fostering Indigenous leadership and building understanding between Indigenous people and others in the community. Totem poles are not traditional to Indigenous peoples who historically resided in Treaty 381 (Niagara Purchase), which covers NOTL, Irwin said. 'It's definitely important to recognize that it is not part of our traditions — yet something that we still honour,' she said. The centre has come full circle since its beginnings, Irwin said, and is still working to grow sustainably, be economically independent and self-sufficient. The centre is now firmly established as a vital resource for Niagara and remains focused on adapting to the changing needs of the Indigenous community, she said. It also continues to bring people together, like through its August BBQ, November Toonie Auction, January New Year social and regular drum nights and socials throughout the year. Next up for the centre: A spring celebration this Friday, June 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will feature hands-on activities, food and community connection — rain or shine. Updates on what's happening at the centre can be found on its website at . paigeseburn@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
