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New national alert system to hit the airwaves By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville's Pelmorex Inc. will help create Canada's first national public alert system. The news was announced Monday by Environment Canada. Pelmorex, an Oakville-based broadcasting group, which operates the broadcasting licence for The Weather Network and its French sister station, MeteoMedia, has partnered with Environment Canada and developed the National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination (NAAD) system. The system collects public safety messages from authorized government authorities and distributes them by satellite and through the Internet to broadcasting outlets such as radio and television stations and cable and satellite TV companies. There is no charge by Pelmorex for this service. Through the partnership, it is anticipated Environment Canada will now supply more than 80 per cent of the NAAD content. Canada's Minister of the Environment Peter Kent, and Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews, were at a press conference at Pelmorex's Bristol Circle facility Monday morning to discuss exactly what the new public-private partnership means for Canadians. "There is currently no truly national public alerting system in Canada that can rapidly warn 7 · Wednesday, February 15, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com MICHAEL IVANIN / OAKVILLE BEAVER Teaming up for safety: Canada's Public Safety Minister Vic Toews announces participation of Environment Canada in the National Alert Aggregation and Dissemination (NAAD) System, as Canada's Environment Minister Peter Kent looks on during a press conference at the Pelmorex Inc. facility at Bristol Circle. spread support with 10 provinces and one territory signing an agreement with Pelmorex to use the system to issue alerts to broadcasters and distributors. The governments of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, he said, have also issued letters of support for the system. "Once fully operational, it will help all of our governments to continue to deliver on our commitment to keep Canadians safe by rapidly warning the public about almost any imminent or the public of imminent or impending hazards regardless of what kind of hazards they may be," said Toews. "This system will essentially tie our respective government agencies into participating radio and TV broadcasters as well as cable and satellite operators so the public can be warned immediately about hazards such as tornadoes, train derailments, industrial fires, chemical spills, water contamination or missing children." Kent said the system is experiencing wide- unfolding danger, provided the broadcasters and distributors agree to carry the signal. This is very important," said Kent. "The participation of the broadcasting and distribution community in the NAAD system is currently voluntary and I encourage all local broadcasters and distributors to sign onto the new system and carry the issued alerts so the system will be just as strong and effective as it can be." Pelmorex officials said more broadcasters and distributors will probably begin signing up for the NAAD system as it will feature considerably more content, thanks to Environment Canada. Pelmorex CEO and chair Pierre Morrissette said this will not be the first time his company has passed along vital information to the public. "The Weather Network and MeteoMedia have a long history of distributing Environment Canada's weather warnings to Canadians over our media properties," he said. "Our NAAD system builds on that partnership to enable critical public safety messages from any public authority to reach Canadians quickly and safely." While Kelly said no Canadian tax dollars would be going directly to the Pelmorex operation, he noted Environment Canada is constantly updating and improving the technology needed to make sure the alerts sent out are as precise and accurate as possible. For more information, visit www.theweathernetwork.com/naadsystem. GET 50% OFF OUR "FEATHERS WITH FLAIR" HAIR EXTENSIONS WITH THE PURCHASE OF A HAIRCUT CHECK OUT OUR WAGJAG DEAL! At Sharkey's Cuts for Kids, we know that kids and parents want something different with their haircut experience. So we provide it all: a superior haircut with warm, experienced stylists in a meticulously clean place filled with fun! 905-257-5515 · www.sharkeyscutsforkids.com *Limit 1 per customer. Coupon valid at Oakville location only. Due to popular demand, appointments are required Offer valid until July 31, 2012. Present coupon to stylist. 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