TORONTO — The national public alerting system is conducting a Canada-wide test of the emergency alert system today. 

Canadians should expect to see one test message from their provincial or territorial emergency management organization over television, radio, and compatible wireless devices at 12:55 p.m. EST. 

The organization that runs the system says the testing sound will simulate an emergency alert, beginning with the alert tone.

The message will indicate that it is a test and does not require action.

Tests such as this one are conducted twice a year in May and the third week of November. 

Canadians do not have an option to opt out of the test or actual alerts distributed by the national alerting system.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 17, 2021. 

The Canadian Press