On November 19, 2025, Canadian emergency agencies tested the Alert Ready system, Canada's national public alert system. See what Canadians had to say.
On November 19, thousands of Canadians heard the familiar Alert Ready tone during the nationwide emergency alert test. Immediately afterward, we invited the public to share their experience, how they received the alert, whether they understood it, and how prepared they felt for a real emergency. Today, we’re offering a first look at the results from our Alert Ready Test Survey Report, based on responses from across the country.
The test alert reached the overwhelming majority of respondents, with about 95% reporting they received it on their wireless device. Yet a meaningful minority, 5% did not receive the alert despite believing their device should have supported it. These cases often involved Wi-Fi calling, marginal coverage, or older devices, issues that continue to matter for national readiness.
Public alert apps also played a significant role: around 36% of respondents received the test through apps such as Alertable or weather apps, reinforcing the importance of multi-channel redundancy. Want to see the full findings, charts, and provincial breakdowns?
Most respondents stated that they clearly understood the alert was only a test and required no action. However, notable differences emerged between language groups, with some respondents, particularly in French, highlighting opportunities to improve clarity, translation, and message presentation.
While many Canadians feel at least somewhat prepared for an emergency, a sizeable group admitted they would not feel ready if the alert had been real. Their comments reveal a desire for clearer guidance on how to respond to different types of hazards, which emergency managers can help address through more accessible public education.
This is just a glimpse of what Canadians shared. Our full Alert Ready Test Survey Report of November 19 includes deeper analysis, provincial comparisons, and recommendations for improving emergency alerting nationwide. Check out the full report now.
On November 17, 2021, Canadian emergency agencies tested the Alert Ready system, Canada's national public alert system. See what Canadians had to say.
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