Earthquakes are among the world's most powerful and destructive natural disasters. When an earthquake hits, a few seconds of warning can allow people to take immediate actions to protect themselves, possibly making the difference between life and death.
Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources; the Honourable 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.
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 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.
Ensuring the safety and security of Canadians is a top priority, which is why the Government of Canada is working closely with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to strengthen mitigation, preparedness and response efforts to natural disasters.
