Minister Goodale welcomes CRTC decision on Wireless Public Alerting

Ottawa, April 7, 2017 - The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, today issued the following statement following the release of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Regulatory Policy on the future expansion of Canada's public alerting system to include wireless devices (e.g. smart phones). 

“I am pleased today to welcome the CRTC's decision on the path forward for wireless public alerting in Canada.  Canadians expect to receive information on emergencies quickly and efficiently through numerous means and according to their preferences. 

The Government of Canada and its provincial, territorial and industry partners have been working collaboratively for some time to support the expansion of the National Public Alerting System to wireless technologies. The CRTC’s direction makes it mandatory for Canada's wireless service providers to send public alerts to Canadians on their wireless devices, which aligns with the CRTC's previous decision for Canada's broadcasters with respect to television, cable and radio mediums. 

The Government of Canada commends the CRTC for recommending that wireless public alerting in Canada align with the recommendations submitted by Senior Officials Responsible for Emergency Management, which is made up of emergency management officials across federal, provincial and territorial levels.  This approach is also consistent with internationally recognized standards, including recently developed Canadian standards for wireless public alerting. Furthermore, it aligns Canada's efforts with our partners in the United States. 

This CRTC decision allows alerting authorities and their partners to work toward providing Canadians with public alerts in both official languages on their mobile devices that will help them to take immediate action to protect themselves and their families. 

While there is still much work to be done, we look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to meet the CRTC’s wireless public alerting recommendations. Together, we are committed to ensuring that Canadians have the critical information they need in emergencies, as quickly as possible, to take necessary precautions.”

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Information:
Scott Bardsley
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
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