Test of Canada’s public alerting system, Alert Ready, happening Wednesday
Mark your calendars: A nationwide test of the Alert Ready, Canada’s National Public Alerting System, is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
This mandatory, annual test ensures the system is ready to deliver critical, potentially life-saving alerts — like warnings for tornadoes, fires and AMBER alerts — to Canadians across the country.
When and how to expect the alert
On November 19, Canadians in all provinces and territories will receive one test message issued by their respective emergency management organization.
The alert will be broadcast on:
Television
Radio
Compatible wireless devices
The test message will begin with the distinct Alert Ready tone and will clearly state that it is only a test and no action is required.
Test times by province and territory
The timing of the alert varies by region. Check the table below for the precise time the test will occur where you live:
Why regular testing is essential
Testing the Alert Ready system is crucial for national safety and preparedness:
System verification: It confirms the end-to-end reliability and performance of the alerting technology
Public familiarity: It ensures Canadians remain familiar with the sound and format of an alert, reducing confusion during a real emergency
Operational practice: It allows emergency management officials to practice and refine the process of issuing timely alerts to the public
Important note on wireless alerts
While the system broadcasts to compatible devices, not all mobile phones will receive the alert. If you do not receive the test on your device, it could be due to factors like:
Device compatibility
Connection to an LTE or 5G network
Cell tower coverage
Device software and settings
To learn more about wireless device compatibility click here.
You cannot opt out of receiving either the test or actual emergency alerts, as this system is designed to warn Canadians of imminent threats to life and property.
Alert Ready is a collaborative effort involving federal, provincial, and territorial governments, Pelmorex, the broadcasting industry, and wireless service providers, all working to keep Canadians safe.
How The Weather Network delivers emergency alerts to you
As you rely on us for weather information, we want you to know how The Weather Network and its parent company, Pelmorex, keep you safe during emergencies.
We are a key player in the Alert Ready system — Canada’s National Public Alerting System.
Our role in Alert Ready
Think of us as a vital link in the alerting chain:
Receiving the alerts: We receive official emergency messages directly from authorized government issuers (provincial, territorial, and federal authorities).
Distributing the alerts: Pelmorex then makes these alerts instantly available to various distributors, including TV stations, radio, and wireless providers.
Delivering to our audience: Most importantly, The Weather Network is committed to keeping you safe by distributing these official Alert Ready warnings directly across all our platforms.
This means if you are watching The Weather Network on TV, or using our app on November 19th, you will receive the official test alert directly through our service.
We are dedicated to ensuring you get the critical, life-saving information you need, right where you already check the weather.
For ongoing updates about the test, follow the official Alert Ready X page.