National Public Alert Service

Re: Public Hearing CRTC 2006-03
Application CRTC #2004-1260-2 by Pelmorex Communications Inc.

Dear Secretary General:

The Canada Safety Council, as Canada’s not-for-profit safety organization, wishes to express its support for the above application by Pelmorex Communications Inc. This proposal requires the CRTC to amend Pelmorex’s broadcast license to provide an all-channel alert service, and to approve a monthly fee of 8¢ per cable or satellite subscriber to offset costs. We are in favor of funding the service from non-tax revenues. As with 911 service, the monthly surcharge is small and represents a direct benefit to subscribers.

As shown by recent disasters, one of the big challenges in an emergency is to inform the public as soon as the danger is identified so people can take measures to protect themselves. A system must be in place to localize urgent messages automatically. Emergency public alerting must be available to every community in Canada and cannot be left to the local cable company. Nor is it realistic to count on a patchwork of incompatible systems — we need a consistent, reliable alerting system.

Such a system is being proposed to the CRTC by Pelmorex, a Canadian company, whose technology can intercept all channels distributed by a cable or satellite company and overlay a warning message on the television screen, no matter which channel is being watched. This capability has existed in the U.S. for many years. The new Canadian technology is more cost-effective than the American system, which was put into place during the Cold War.

Canada has long been a world leader in communications technology, and must ensure the most effective communication systems are in place to protect its citizens. Our country urgently needs a comprehensive national alerting service. We will not appear at the CRTC hearing scheduled for May 1, but ask the CRTC to approve Pelmorex’s proposal for an all-channel alert system on an urgent basis.

Sincerely,

Emile-J. Therien
President, Canada Safety Council

CC: Hon. Stockwell Day, M.P., Minister of Public Safety; Provincial and Territorial Premiers; Pelmorex Communications Inc.