Latest news with #NationalPublicAlertingSystem
Hamilton Spectator
22-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Why Rogers' new satellite-to-mobile messaging service could be a pivotal moment in public safety
A first-of-its-kind service in Canada that connects mobile phones to low-orbit satellites could be a game changer for residents without cell service in remote areas of the country, as well as a pivotal moment in public safety. The satellite-to-mobile service , announced by Rogers last week, will allow subscribers without traditional cell service to send and receive text messages, including text-to-911 emergency services if they are enabled by municipalities. Rogers will eventually expand the technology to support apps, data and voice services. Once voice service is available, it will mean that anyone with a smartphone featuring satellite connectivity, available in newer models, will have access to 911-only voice services, not just subscribers. The technology could fill gaps in cell service across the country. Until last year, the Village of Clayton, southwest of Ottawa in Lanark Country, was in a so-called 'dead zone.' Clayton got its first cell tower in June last year. Five more towers are needed to provide coverage to all rural residents and roads. 'We had an incident one time where someone had a cardiac arrest at a ball field,' said Kurt Greaves, the chief administrative officer for Lanark County, who said bystanders had difficulty contacting paramedics. 'You don't realize how much you rely on everybody having 911 in their pocket until you actually need it.' 'Anytime you can improve communication it's fantastic,' said Greaves. The technology also has the potential for use as part of Canada's National Public Alerting System, which enables emergency management organizations across the country to send public warnings about impending danger or disasters. The 'Holy Grail' of Rogers satellite-to-mobile technology, said Carmi Levy, an independent technology analyst, is a fleet of nearly 8,000 low-orbit satellites operated by SpaceX's Starlink that fly about 550 kilometres above Earth. Premier Doug Ford cancelled a $100-million contract to provide satellite internet to 15,000 remote homes and businesses in Canada with Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, in March in retaliation for the Trump tariffs. Levy said the sheer number of satellites, combined with their proximity to Earth, means that users can connect in real time when compared with traditional satellites, which orbit at 35,000 kilometres, severely limiting their usability because of delays in bouncing the signal up and then back down. Traditional satellite phones have 'been seen only as a stopgap solution until better technology is available,' said Levy. 'This is that better technology.' A U.S. company, Lynk Global, provides the final piece of the puzzle, converting the satellite signal into one that is compatible with a cellphone. Rogers is offering the service to all Canadians regardless of their mobile carrier — for example a Bell subscriber who wants to sign up for the satellite-to-mobile technology because they don't have cell service at the cottage — through a free beta trial that will run until October. The technology is only necessary in places without cell service because smartphones default to cell in areas with coverage. There are limitations though. Users need a clear view of the sky as well as a fairly new cellphone that has been satellite optimized . Currently, the service is available south of the 58th parallel, which excludes Canada's northern territories. The CRTC directed telephone and wireless companies to upgrade their systems to allow text-to-911 service, which they have done, according to the CRTC. But 911 call centres, operated provincially and municipally, would also have to upgrade their systems to enable the service, which is typically meant for use by hearing- or speech-impaired Canadians. The announcement though couldn't be timelier, coming out on the same day as news from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission that is it holding public consultations to improve Canada's National Public Alerting System, including ways to fill gaps in the system. The commission was unaware that Rogers was launching the new service, but said in an interview that the technology could potentially be used to send out alerts, which are disseminated by a company called Pelmorex Corp., owned by the Weather Network. Pelmorex sends alerts via television and radio, as well as cell broadcasts, a mobile technology that sends messages to compatible wireless devices within a geographic area, which is a different technology than the text messaging being offered by Rogers Satellite. But the CRTC is open to discovering whether the new technology is compatible, which Rogers says it is. ' Definitely as part of this consultation, we want to learn from the industry on what are the technical aspects that need to be solved in order to extend those alerts to other technologies, including satellite,' said a CRTC spokesperson. Critics have called for a review of the alert system, which was under intense scrutiny for not being used by the RCMP in 2020 in Nova Scotia during a shooting rampage in which 22 people were killed. 'Our concern is not so much that there will be another terrible incident,' said Monica Auer, executive director of Forum for Research and Policy in Communications, which has called for a review, 'but rather it is incumbent on the regulatory authority to actually let us know how well the system is working, and to do that regularly.' In his interview with the Star, Levy recounted driving through a massive storm on the Trans-Canada Highway near Sault Ste. Marie recently and only realized, when he hit an area with cell service, that alerts had been issued for tornadoes. 'There are so many areas across Canada that literally do not have service,' said Levy. 'And that is a massive problem that is not talked about as much as it should be,' he said. 'Solutions like Rogers Satellite help close that gap and shine the light on this gnawing problem in rural parts of Canada.' The satellite-to-mobile technology launched by Rogers has been in use in a number of markets around the world including the U.S., New Zealand, Japan and Australia. Rogers said it is working with its partners to enable voice as quickly as possible and will share updates of the system with its customers.
Cision Canada
15-07-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
CRTC consults to help improve Canada's public alerting system Français
GATINEAU, QC, /CNW/ - Today, the CRTC is launching a public consultation to help improve the National Public Alerting System (NPAS). The NPAS is used by emergency management officials across Canada to warn the public about emergency situations like severe weather events and other potential concerns to public safety. This system is a shared responsibility between federal, provincial, and territorial governments and agencies. The CRTC plays a supporting role by requiring cellphone, cable and satellite television providers, and radio and television broadcasters to distribute emergency alerts to the public. Through this consultation, the CRTC is reviewing how public alerts are distributed in Canada. The goal is to help improve the NPAS, including by improving the accessibility of alerts, considering whether alerts should be distributed in languages that reflect local communities, and ensuring that they are available across the country. The CRTC is accepting comments until October 14, 2025. Interested persons can participate by: filling out the online form; sharing your views on CRTC Conversations platform; writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0N2; sending a fax to 819-994-0218; or filing a link to a sign language video using the online form. All comments will form part of the public record and will inform the CRTC's decision. This consultation follows a number of recent actions the CRTC has taken to help protect Canadians. To find out more, check out the CRTC's Consumer Protections Action Plan. Quick facts The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. The CRTC holds public consultations on telecommunications and broadcasting matters and makes decisions based on the public record. Key information about the consultation is available in American Sign Language (ASL) and Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ). First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and organizations requiring assistance submitting comments, including oral interventions, can contact the CRTC's Indigenous Relations Team.
Hamilton Spectator
30-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Why did I get an emergency alert for a homicide in Pickering? Teen boy charged with 1st-degree murder following ‘sadistic and cowardly' attack
Thousands of Ontario residents received a shelter-in-place alert during the Thursday afternoon commute. The alert indicated police were investigating a homicide suspect at 2125 Lynn Heights Dr., but it failed to mention the community name of Pickering. The alert appeared to create confusion on social media and included the r/askTO subreddit on . People receive this alert on Toronto-area cellphones as police hunt for a suspect in Thursday's stabbing death. Commenters reported receiving the alert in downtown Toronto and Newmarket. Others who said they received it, live more than 100-kilometres away from the impacted area, in places like Haliburton and Barrie. Alert Ready is the public-facing brand name for the National Public Alerting System administered by Public Safety Canada. Canada's emergency alerting system is intended to deliver critical alerts to Canadians through television, radio and LTE-connected and compatible wireless devices. The May 29 Pickering alert was sent by the Ontario Provincial Police on behalf of Durham Regional Police. In an email to Metroland, Durham police spokesperson Joanne McCabe said the local police service provided a suggested area to shelter in place in its alert request to the OPP. 'The area the alert extends to and what information is released, is at the discretion of the OPP,' McCabe added. 'My understanding is the reach for the alert went further than the requested area as the armed suspect was mobile and there was an imminent threat to public safety.' Metroland has also reached out to the OPP and will update this piece when we receive a reply. A shelter in place can be issued for major police events. The Government of Canada website advises people to follow the directions and advice of law enforcement and first responders. Here's what you should do if you receive a notice: In a May 30 update, Durham police said a 14-year-old boy was arrested and charged with first-degree murder after an older adult woman was stabbed to death in the Lynn Heights Drive and Fairport Road area of Pickering Thursday afternoon. The suspect was initially thought to be 13, according to a previous news release. On May 29 at 3:05 p.m., police responded to the area for an unknown trouble call. After a brief encounter, the suspect 'assaulted the victim in an unprovoked attack (by) stabbing her multiple times,' police said. The woman was outside her home on Lynn Heights Drive near Fairport Road around 3 p.m., when police say the suspect approached her. A passerby found a woman on the ground outside a residence suffering from traumatic injuries. She was transported to a Toronto-area trauma centre and pronounced dead. In a media briefing Thursday evening, Durham police Chief Peter Moreira called the suspect 'sadistic and cowardly' in the unprovoked attack, which was captured on video. 'I worked in homicide for a long time and I can tell you that an unprovoked attack like this is just unimaginable,' Moreira added. The woman was doing what 'everyone else would do at the front of their home,' according to Moreira and added she does not hold any responsibility for the attack. Following the stabbing, police said the suspect fled eastbound on Lynn Heights Drive, which prompted a massive search that included a rare shelter-in-place alert issued across the Greater Toronto Area in a bid to minimize any risk to public safety. Police said the suspect was arrested without incident Thursday evening at 8:30 p.m. The stabbing death is Durham Region's second homicide of 2025, said police. The woman's name is being withheld at the request of the family. — With files from Kristen Calis, Toronto Star 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
05-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
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 .
CTV News
05-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Canadian Alert Ready practice drill runs this week
A test of Alert Ready, Canada's National Public Alerting System, will take place on Wednesday, across most provinces and territories (not in Quebec). Canadians will receive a message from their provincial emergency management organization over television, radio and compatible wireless devices at: PROVINCE OR TERRITORY TIME OF TEST Alberta 1:55 PM MDT British Columbia 1:55 PM PDT Manitoba 1:55 PM CDT New Brunswick 10:55 AM ADT Newfoundland & Labrador 10:45 AM NDT Northwest Territories 9:55 AM MDT Nova Scotia 1:55 PM ADT Nunavut 2:00 PM EDT Ontario 12:55 PM EDT Prince Edward Island 12:55 PM ADT Quebec No test Saskatchewan 1:55 PM CST Yukon 1:55 PM YST The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) requires wireless service providers and broadcasters to send at least one test alert each year. The test message will simulate an emergency alert, beginning with the alert tone, known as the Canadian Alert Attention Signal that will indicate that it is a test and does not require action from the public. Testing of the Alert Ready system provides: Increases public awareness about the system, and encourages emergency preparedness conversations, so that Canadians can be ready and prepared in the event of an actual emergency Validate the effectiveness and reliability of the system to ensure it operates as intended from end-to-end Provides an opportunity for Emergency Management officials to practice sending alerts to the public The test alert will be sent out on TV, radio and wireless, however, not all Canadians will receive the test alert on their mobile device. This may occur for a variety of reasons – device compatibility, connection to an LTE or 5G network, cell tower coverage and device software and settings.
