How Should Canada Improve Emergency Alerts on Your Phone?

Official title: Share your thoughts about improving the National Public Alerting System

Closed Regulations & Permits Health & Safety Technology & Digital

The CRTC reviewed how emergency alerts reach Canadians through phones, TVs, and radios. They wanted to know if alerts should come in more languages, including Indigenous ones. They also asked about making alerts accessible for people with disabilities and reaching rural and remote areas.

Why This Matters

Ever get that loud emergency alert on your phone? This consultation shaped how those alerts work. If you're deaf, live in a rural area with spotty coverage, or speak an Indigenous language, this directly affects whether you'll get warned about tornadoes, floods, or Amber Alerts.

What Could Change

The CRTC could require phone companies and broadcasters to send alerts in Indigenous languages. New rules might mandate better accessibility features for deaf and hard-of-hearing Canadians. Wireless coverage gaps in rural areas could be identified and addressed.

Key Issues

Should emergency alerts be sent in both official languages?
Should the system support Indigenous and other languages?
How can alerts be made accessible for people with disabilities?
Where are the gaps in wireless alert coverage?
Should the schedule for public alert tests be changed?

How to Participate

Review the Notice of Consultation for full details on the topics being discussed.
Read the interventions submitted to see what others said.

What Happened

The consultation ran from July 15 to November 21, 2025. Comments were received online, by mail, and by fax. The interventions (submitted comments) are available for public review.