Alert Ready is Canada’s emergency alerting system which helps deliver critical emergency and life-saving alerts to millions of Canadians each year. Alerts are delivered through radio, television, and compatible (LTE-connected) wireless devices and are only issued by authorized government agencies.
In 2022, there were a total of 187 alerts issued in Ontario. Of this total:
- 9 alerts were 9-1-1 service-related;
- 5 alerts were AMBER alerts;
- 9 alerts were civil emergency-related;
- 6 alerts were thunderstorm-related; and
- 158 alerts were tornado-related.
In total, 824 alerts were issued last year across Canada.
Who can send, update, or cancel an Alert Ready emergency alert?
Only an authorized Government Issuer may send, update, or cancel an alert. Authorized Government Issuers include Environment and Climate Change Canada, provincial and territorial governments, and law enforcement.
What are the responsibilities of the public upon receiving an alert?
Members of the public should stop, listen, and respond as directed by the Government Issuer.
What types of emergencies could Alert Ready be used for?
Fire
Urban fires
Industrial Fires
Wildfires
Forest Fire
Biological
Biological
Chemical
Radiological
Drinking Water Contamination
Hazardous
Explosive
Environmental
Air Quality
Falling Object
Natural
Tornado
Flash Flood
Earthquake
Hurricane
Tsunami
Thunderstorm
Storm Surge
Landslide
Dam Overflow
Magnetic Storm
Meteorite
Lahar
Pyroclastic Flow
Pyroclastic Surge
Volcanic Ash
National Security
Terrorist Threat
Civil
Civil Emergency
Animal Danger
Amber Alert
911 Service
Admin
Test Message
What is an Alert Ready test alert and when do the tests occur?
An Alert Ready test alert will look and sound similar to a real alert, but will be clearly identified as a test alert. When a test alert is issued you may be required to acknowledge the alert on your wireless devices. These tests typically occur twice per year, once in May and once in November. Visit the Alert Ready website for the full testing schedule.