Manitoba’s second emergency alert test results still hit and miss

Cell phones, radios and TVs across Manitoba were being tested for an emergency on Wednesday.

Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler says this time the results were almost perfect.

“We would say that for all the phones that were on that weren’t on airplane mode we believe we are close to 100 per cent coverage. If individuals didn’t get the message, we would suggest they would talk to their provider,” he said, adding people may need to make changes to their phone.

In the Global Newsroom, two of the five phones we tested received the Alert Ready test.

This is the second time the system has been formally tested.

The first trial happened back in May, when only about 60 per cent of phones in the province received the alert.

There’s no word on any future testing.

Rogers released a checklist for customers who did not receive the alert to ensure they receive future alerts.

The checklist included:

• making sure your device is on the list of compatible devices,
• installing any updates available for your device, and
• ensuring your device is connected to the LTE network and not on airplane mode.

NDP Lader Wab Kinew says he’s frustrated by the fact that the alert isn’t being sent to all Manitobans — due in part to poor cell service.

“We should say ‘no there’s still too many people in the province who aren’t receiving these notifications’ and the government needs to put their foot down and put these cell phone companies to act a lot quicker,” he said.

WATCH: After an Amber Alert was issued in Saskatchewan and Manitoba early Monday 

1:15 Mixed response in overnight Amber Alert cell phone notification

In September, many Manitobans received a real warning — an overnight Amber Alert — which was the first instance of the alert system in active use.

In this case, however, some Manitobans still didn’t receive the message.

Mike Olczyk, operations program manager at Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) said it has a lot to do with the device being used — older devices may not be compatible.

“The Canadian Radio, Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has indicated that for devices sold in 2018, they are targeting around 50 per cent of new devices have that technology embedded within them.”

The CRTC goal for devices sold as of April 2019 is 100 per cent compatibility.

LISTEN: Mike Olczyk, with Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization, spoke on 680 CJOB Wednesday