The Emergency Notification System is used to send out alerts about emergencies that may affect the health or safety of members of the McGill community, as well as time-sensitive information about events such as campus closures, severe weather or power outages.
In Feb. 2026, McGill implemented a new system that can deploy messages across multiple channels simultaneously, saving significant time in urgent situations. Those who had opted in to receive text messages through the old system need to re-opt in, as data cannot be transferred automatically to the new system.
To receive emergency notifications from the new system:
- Opt in to receive text messages (SMS).
- Activate desktop notifications.
- Download and configure the BlackBerry AtHoc mobile app.
1. Opt in to receive emergency text messages (SMS)
To receive emergency text messages on your mobile device, follow these step-by-step instructions.
Important:
If you opted in to receive text messages in Minerva before Feb. 2026, you must do it again. Data cannot be transferred from the old system into the new one.
2. Activate desktop notifications
All McGill-managed Windows computers are automatically configured to receive pop-up emergency notifications. This includes most faculty and staff computers. If you are unsure whether your computer is McGill-managed, consult this article.
Students’ personal computers are not McGill-managed.
To receive emergency notifications on:
- Your personal computer, follow these instructions for Windows.
- A Mac computer, including those managed by McGill, follow these instructions for Mac.
3. Download the BlackBerry AtHoc mobile app
The BlackBerry AtHoc mobile app lets users receive emergency notifications on their devices.
To download and install the mobile app, follow these instructions.
Email alerts
The University will send emergency notifications to the McGill email addresses of all active faculty, staff, and students. No action is required to opt in to these messages.
Emergency notifications are sent from the alert [at] ens.mcgill.ca or alert [at] mcgill.ca address.
Testing
To help ensure preparedness, we test our Emergency Notification Systems twice a year. These messages are clearly marked as tests.
Disclaimers
- McGill University cannot guarantee that you will receive all health and safety alerts.
- Because some emergencies may require limited communication, community members are encouraged to check all possible sources of information during an incident.
Security Contacts
Security Services offer 24/7 assistance to all members of the McGill community:
- For potential emergencies or prevention: call Security at 514-398-3000 (downtown) or 514-398-7777 (Macdonald).
- For emergencies: call 9-1-1. If possible, also call Security at the appropriate number above.
- For less urgent situations: email campus.security [at] mcgill.ca (downtown) or macdonald.security [at] mcgill.ca (Macdonald).
