Telecom - Staff Letter addressed to the Distribution List

Gatineau, 4 March 2026

Reference: 8000-C12-202306860

BY EMAIL

Distribution List

Subject: Nunavut Emergency Management - out-of-schedule visible public alert test - 11 March 2026

Commission staff has been informed that the Nunavut Emergency Management intends to issue an out-of-schedule visible public test alert at 2:00 pm EST on Wednesday 11 March 2026.

Staff notes that the Commission requires^Footnote1 wireless service providers (WSPs), radio stations, over-the-air television stations, and television service providers^Footnote2 (collectively, last-mile distributors [LMDs]) to relay visible public test alerts issued by Emergency Management Officials (EMOs) (i.e., test alerts received by the public on radio, television, and mobile phones) twice per year, in May and November. This schedule is coordinated across Canada but does not prevent EMOs from issuing out-of-schedule alerts. As a result, EMOs, LMDs, and the NAAD System operator have raised concerns about whether the Commission’s existing policy supports these out-of-schedule alerts. Staff highlights that the Commission has previously handled such cases individually and encouraged LMDs’ participation in these tests. Staff also highlights that as part of its ongoing consultation on improving the public alerting system, it is considering whether the current test schedule for public alerts is effective or if more flexibility in scheduling is needed.

Staff notes that the Commission has stated its view^Footnote3 that visible test alerts are an important component of the NPAS. The test alerts help to ensure the effectiveness of the NPAS in protecting Canadians and help ensure that Canadians are aware and have confidence in the public alerting system.

Thus, with this letter, Commission staff acknowledges the Nunavut Emergency Management’s plan to issue an out-of-schedule visible public alert test and encourages Pelmorex, as well as WSPs and broadcasters operating in the distribution area of this alert to participate in the Nunavut Emergency Management’s planned visible public alert test over the NPAS on 11 March 2026.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Amjad Iqbal at (819) 360-2891 or via email at amjad.iqbal@crtc.gc.ca by no later than 06 March, 2026.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Crupi
Manager, Network Technology
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunication Commission

Distribution list:

Wireless Service Providers in NU
Broadcasters in NU
Pelmorex Weather Networks Inc.

c.c.:

John Coyne JCoyne2@gov.nu.ca;
Ryleigh McPherson RMcPherson2@gov.nu.ca;
Martin Bélanger mbelanger@pelmorex.com;
Jennifer Keay jennifer.keay@bell.ca;
Bell bell.wpas@bell.ca;
David Bennet david.bennett@bell.ca;
Marie-France Gauthier marie-france.gauthier@cbc.ca;
Association des francophones du Nunavut direction@afnunavut.ca;
Northern Lights Entertainment (Nunavut) Inc. 1035capitalfm@gmail.com;
Médias Ténois direction@mediastenois.ca;
Native Communications Society of the N.W.T. finance@ncsnwt.com;
Rogers regulatory@rci.rogers.com;
Rogers Cable.regulatory@rci.rogers.com;
Tammy Moore tammy.moore@rci.rogers.com;
Rogers regulatory.finance@rci.rogers.com;
Northwestel Inc. regulatoryaffairs@nwtel.ca;
Bell ExpressVu Inc. bell.regulatory@bell.ca;

Date modified:

2026-03-04