Test of emergency alert system taking place. What to know

Most Canadians will receive an alert on their cellphones Wednesday due to a test of the country’s national public alerting system.

The test of Alert Ready will take place in every province except for Alberta and Quebec.

The test message will simulate an emergency alert, beginning with the alert tone. The message will indicate that it is a test and does not require action from the public.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Canadians in the following provinces will receive alerts at the following times:

• British Columbia: 1:55 PM PDT
• Manitoba: 1:55 PM CDT
• New Brunswick: 10:55 AM ADT
• Northwest Territories: 9:55 AM MDT
• Nova Scotia: 1:55 PM ADT
• Newfoundland and Labrador: 10:55 AM NDT
• Nunavut: 2:00 PM EDT
• Ontario: 12:55 PM EDT
• Prince Edward Island: 12:55 PM ADT
• Saskatchewan: 1:55 PM CST
• Yukon: 1:55 PM MST

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission requires wireless service providers and broadcasters to send at least one test alert per year, either in May during Emergency Preparedness Week (May 8-12) and/or in November.