Wireless alert test today, Ontario wind storm, Toyota investment

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Monday, May 7, 2018

Today – Sunny. High 17. UV index 7 or high.

Tonight – Clear. Low plus 5.

Wireless alert test today

On Monday May 7 at 1:55 p.m., the first province wide test of the new Wireless Public Alert system in Ontario will take place.

All compatible mobile phones in the area are expected to trigger at the same time, with a warning tone first sounding, then a special text message appearing on the device.

The wireless providers like Bell, Rogers, and Telus have already sent out text messages to inform all of their subscribers about the new system that became active on April 6.

But this test on Monday will be the first time its tested in Ontario and many recipients will likely be caught by surprise.

Of particular concern is making sure the public is aware this is a test, and to not call 911 for more information.

Especially in locations such as workplaces, schools, and hospitals where large numbers of people will all receive the alert at the same time.

This new Wireless Alert System is an expansion of the existing Alert Ready system that previously alerted the public via radio and television.

It was developed in partnership with Federal, Provincial, and Territorial emergency management officials, the broadcast industry, and wireless service providers to ensure you receive emergency alerts immediately and know when to take action to keep you and your family safe.

NetAlerts has played a leading role for the past three years in developing this new system, including writing the technical specifications, conducting testing and training, and providing software to several provinces.

In fact the first Wireless Alert in Canada was sent using the NetAlerts system in Alberta on April 28 for a Flash Flood emergency.

Alerts for threats like Tornado Warnings, sent via the new Wireless Public Alert system, will have a brief description of the threat and actions the public should take to remain safe.

However the system is limited in how much information it can transmit and so we recommend that the public download the Alertable App, a national platform that provides detailed emergency alert information including maps, images/video, and safety instructions.

It is very important to stress that you should not call 911 for more information about a Wireless Alert, an app like Alertable can provide you with the detailed information you need.

Southern Ontario Wind Storm

Marie-France Lalonde, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services issued the following statement on Saturday:

Our heart goes out to the families and loved ones of the two people who tragically lost their lives during yesterday night’s wind storm.

I know many families and businesses across the province are dealing with the effects of the wind storm. I want to assure those affected that your local hydro utilities are working as quickly and safely as possible to return electricity to those without power.

On behalf of all Ontarians, I want to say thank you to those hydro workers who worked throughout the night and are continuing to work today, to reconnect the hundreds of thousands of people who experienced outages and those still without power. Our first responders and municipal services are also working diligently to make our roads safe and clear branches from power lines. I urge people not to attempt to move downed branches or trees on your own.

Right now, provincial officials, including those from Emergency Management Ontario, are ready to respond to requests for assistance from affected municipalities. My colleague Bill Mauro, Ontario’s Minister of Municipal Affairs, has also reached out to make sure communities have the support they need.

We will use all of our resources to ensure that our hard working hydro crews get the help they need to ensure things get back to normal as quickly as possible.”

Toyota chooses Ontario as the manufacturing hub for its RAV4

(@Kathleen_Wynne, Twitter)

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne announced last week a major new investment to help secure more than 8,000 Toyota automotive manufacturing jobs in Ontario and strengthen the province’s long-term global competitiveness during this period of economic uncertainty.

Premier Wynne was joined by Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, at Toyota’s assembly plant in Cambridge to highlight how this new funding will boost the competitiveness of Toyota’s Cambridge and Woodstock operations, as well as support the long-term viability of automotive production in Ontario.

“Standing up for auto workers in Ontario is about making sure our province stays competitive during a time of rapid economic change, and building the kind of global partnerships that support long-term prosperity,” Wynne said in a media release.

“That’s why I’m happy to be able to work with Toyota to make its Cambridge and Woodstock operations the manufacturing hub for its RAV4. This is a vote of confidence in our talented workforce, and our entire province.”

Ontario’s $110 million investment, matched by the federal government, is part of an overall investment valued at $1.4 billion.

Provincial officials say it will help establish Cambridge and Woodstock as Toyota’s North American manufacturing hub for the RAV4, including hybrid versions. Manufacturing the RAV4 is a complex, labour-intensive process that Toyota projects will support more than 8,000 existing jobs and add 450 new jobs. As a result of this investment, Toyota’s Ontario manufacturing operation will become the leading hybrid SUV producer within North America.

“Companies have confidence in Canada and Canadian workers, and know that we are ready to build the cars of the future,” Trudeau said in a press release.

“Today’s investment will create hundreds of jobs for Canadians, and keep our auto sector globally competitive and at the centre of the growing demand for hybrid cars. We welcome Toyota’s decision to expand their presence in Canada and invest in our highly skilled workforce. This is a smart decision that further establishes our country as the place where cars of the future are built.”

This partnership will also:

– Retool the company’s Ontario operations to build vehicles using Toyota’s New Global Architecture, which will make dramatic improvements in the performance and competitiveness of the vehicle, as well as how it is engineered

– Support the pursuit of future production mandates for Ontario

– Support research and development, plus new automation technology in the paint and plastics shop

– Provide specialized worker training, including up to 1,000 co-op placements.

Toyota is the largest vehicle producer in Ontario and a cornerstone of the province’s auto sector. This landmark investment — coming at a time of uncertainty in the North American auto industry — makes the Cambridge and Woodstock plants highly competitive among Toyota’s global operations, supporting the long-term viability of vehicle production in Ontario.

Securing Ontario’s automotive future is part of the government’s plan to support care, create opportunity and make life more affordable during this period of rapid economic change. The plan includes free prescription drugs for everyone under 25, and 65 or over, through the biggest expansion of medicare in a generation, free tuition for hundreds of thousands of students, a higher minimum wage and better working conditions, and free preschool child care from 2 ½ to kindergarten.

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World news

If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.

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