Question Period Note: National Public Alerting System (NPAS)

• Alert Ready, the National Public Alerting System (NPAS), provides emergency management organizations across the country with the capability to rapidly warn the public of imminent or unfolding hazards to life.
• The final report of the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission included recommendations related to public alerting.

• Emergencies can happen at any moment and with little warning and it is important that Canadians have the information they need to protect themselves.

• An effective and reliable public alerting system is a responsibility shared by all orders of government and industry partners.

• The National Public Alerting System is an essential tool that is used to warn the public about imminent or possible dangers so they can take action to protect themselves.

• All orders of governments have a strong working relationship with public alerting partners. Together, we are committed to continued collaboration to improve the effectiveness of emergency alerting in Canada and to ensure Canadians have the critical information they need during emergencies.
 

Roles and responsibilities
• The NPAS is a standard alerting capability used by emergency management organizations throughout Canada to warn the public of imminent or unfolding hazards to life through radio, television, and on compatible wireless devices.
• All 13 provinces and territories are connected to the NPAS. Federal departments connected to the NPAS are Environment and Climate Change Canada, Public Safety Canada and Natural Resources Canada.
• Each jurisdiction determines who may issue alerts within their jurisdiction, when to issue an emergency alert, the alert type, the message content, its duration and geographical areas affected.
• The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission sets out accessibility standards.
• The NPAS is owned and operated by Pelmorex Corp, owner of The Weather Network / MétéoMedia television channels.
Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission
• The final report of the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission recommended “FPT governments to undertake a fundamental review of public emergency alerting to determine whether and how the Alert Ready system can be reformed”. It also included recommendations around training and public education about public warnings.
• Public Safety Canada continues to advance collaborative work to strengthen the overall use, sustainability, and governance of the NPAS with federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) partners.
• In February, 2024, FPT Ministers responsible for emergency management met to review the progress and to explore considerations for the development of a future public alerting framework in collaboration with provinces and territories. FPT Ministers instructed their respective teams to continue this collaborative work, and to consider the recommendations of the Mass Casualty Commission report related to public alerting, as well as the long-term viability of the current system.
Results
• In 2022, 2023, and 2024, 824, 1086, and 855 emergency alert messages were issued respectively. These emergency alerts have been credited with saving lives.

If Pressed
Q1- Testing of the system
• Regular testing and evaluation of the system is necessary to ensure that in times of an emergency or disaster, we are prepared to deliver urgent and lifesaving warnings to the public.
• Governments conduct public awareness tests of the system twice annually, in May during Emergency Preparedness week, and November.
• The next national test will occur in November, exact date to be announced.
• Canadians are encouraged to visit Home - Alert Ready Emergency Alert System (Pelmorex Corp). to find the test schedule for their province or territory, as well as other useful information on wireless phone compatibility, and the types of emergency alerts sent through the system.
Q2- Implementation of the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission Recommendations
• Strengthening the National Public Alerting System (NPAS) is a federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) priority.
• FPT ministers underscored the importance of the system and collectively endorsed priorities to support the ongoing sustainability and enhancement of the system. Ministers also reviewed the public alerting recommendations of the Mass Casualty Commission final report.
• FPT governments are working collaboratively to advance these priorities and explore options on how best to strengthen the overall use and ensure the sustainability of the system.
Q3- Official languages and Accessibility
• The system is capable of carrying emergency alerts in English, French, or both languages, at the discretion and in respect of the legislation of the issuing government authority.
• FPT governments work with broadcasters, wireless service providers, and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to ensure that the visual and audible aspects of public alerts sent through the NPAS are readily recognizable by the Canadian public, and are presented in a consistent format.