ONTARIO- Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jill Dunlop, Ontario’s Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response; and Ian Lafrenière, Quebec’s Minister of Public Security, announced that the Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) system is operational and supporting earthquake preparedness efforts in Quebec and eastern Ontario today.
“Ontario is committed to being ready for any emergency, including earthquakes. The EEW system uses advanced tools and proven science to help protect lives and build a more resilient province and country. We are harnessing the latest innovations to keep our communities safe, practised and prepared.” said Jill Dunlop, Ontario Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Response
The EEW system detects earthquakes using a network of over 200 sensors established in Quebec and Ontario. If a potentially harmful earthquake is detected, an alert will automatically be issued through the National Public Alerting System for distribution by broadcasters and wireless carriers to people in the affected area, seconds to tens of seconds before strong shaking arrives. These critical seconds of warning will give people in Quebec and eastern Ontario the opportunity to protect themselves and “Drop, Cover and Hold On.”
Natural Resources Canada says it is also working to deliver detailed EEW messages to critical infrastructure operators. These warnings allow operators in Ontario and Quebec to initiate protective measures automatically — such as stopping trains, restricting traffic on bridges and tunnels, opening doors and sounding alarms — before strong shaking occurs.
With the EEW system now operating in western British Columbia, eastern Ontario and Quebec, more than 10 million people in the most earthquake-prone regions of the country will be able to receive earthquake alerts.
