GATINEAU – Canadians may now use an interactive map to find out which TV service providers plus radio and TV stations distribute emergency alert messages.
The CRTC unveiled the interactive map Thursday, noting that “the vast majority” of Canadians are able to receive the alerts due to the participation of broadcasters and television service providers in the National Public Alerting System (NPAS).
Emergency alert messages are issued by emergency management officials such as fire marshals, police officers and government departments like Environment Canada to warn the public of imminent threats like severe weather, water contamination, forest fires and Amber Alerts for missing children. Most cable and satellite companies, radio stations, over-the-air television stations and video-on-demand services have been able to issue alerts since the CRTC’s March 31, 2015 deadline, though campus, community-based and Native broadcasters had until March 31, 2016 to comply.
The Commission said that non-licensed stations and service providers plus any that started broadcasting or distributing emergency alerts after December 31, 2015 do not appear on the map. It is still under consideration whether wireless service providers should participate in the NPAS.
“Canadians are now able to see exactly which broadcasters and television service providers across Canada distribute emergency alert messages”, said CRTC chairman and CEO Jean-Pierre Blais, in a statement. “These alerts are an efficient and effective way to alert Canadians in an emergency situation, and in some cases save lives or prevent serious injury.”
