Mayor and Council
Municipalities of the Province of Ontario
Dear Sirs and Madams:
The Municipality of Lambton Shores has been receiving calls, emails, and Council delegations from citizens concerned with the health concerns regarding Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) from close proximity to cellular towers.
At the most recent meeting of Council, a resolution was passed, recommending changes to Federal guidelines for Telecommunication (cellular) Towers, and staff were directed to forward a copy of the resolution to all municipalities in Ontario and all Members of Parliament.
A copy of the resolution that was passed is attached for your reference and support.
Thanking you in advance for your consideration.
Yours truly,
Carol McKenzie
Clerk
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A Resolution recommending changes to Federal guidelines on health, siting requirements and municipal protocols for Telecommunication (cellular) Towers-
Whereas the siting of cellular towers is under Government of Canada jurisdiction, the siting impacts municipal land use and social planning;
And whereas: cellular service providers claim that they propose new towers to establish a high grade of service for cellular phones; the reality is the proposals are about building a comprehensive network for high data delivery to portable devices which in turn require broadcasting stronger radio frequency than for cellular phone service alone;
And whereas: many citizens have brought forward their health concerns about Electro-sensitivity based on close proximity to cellular towers emitting stronger Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR) to Municipal Councils and Members of Parliament;
And whereas: these health concerns have been given credence by International studies and reports on the possible carcinogenic results of longer term exposure to EMR as result of close proximity;
And whereas: a Parliamentary Committee's examination of these health risks recommended immediate funding to studies by suggesting that there is not a clear consensus on the science;
And whereas: the Precautionary Principle (PP) addresses the non-consensus by stating:
Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost effective measures to prevent environmental degradation;
And whereas: other nations have used the (PP) as a basis for adopting more stringent guidelines for the siting of cellular towers on the early evidence long term EMR exposure;
And whereas: Safety Code 6, Industry Canada's guideline for exposure is based on 6 minutes exposure, is outdated and does not take into account long term exposure;
And whereas: Municipal protocols enacted under Industry Canada guidelines to address local concerns are routinely ignored or overturned by an Industry Canada bureaucracy;
And whereas: the exclusion of any public scrutiny to the siting of towers under 15m gives cellular providers a convenient tool that undermines any semblance of Municipal or citizen public input to the whole process;
And whereas: it is important for all governments to put the welfare of its citizens first before corporate interests;
And whereas: no Industry Canada regulation exists to enable Municipalities to enact Exclusionary Zones for Electromagnetic radiation.
Therefore: be it resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Lambton Shores petitions the Government of Canada to employ the Precautionary Principle in addressing Health Concerns around the siting of cellular towers by:
Adopting regulatory standards that reflect current international standards for Electromagnetic Radiation long term exposure and proximity to cellular towers.
Funding and completing the necessary studies that would give assurances to citizens that EMR is a Health Canada priority.
Recommending to cellular providers, that as good corporate citizens, voluntary withdrawal of all applications for new cellular tower siting in the system be done as a show of good faith while the new regulations take effect.
Recommending to cellular providers, that as good corporate citizens, they prepare a nationwide plan to relocate all cellular towers that are within 200 m. of houses, apartments, daycare centres, healthcare centres and schools with government assistance.
Partnering with municipalities to prepare a new protocol template to be used in the Industry Canada siting process that reflects good Health guidelines, International standards for EMR and practical land use standards and that this protocol be given full power of law.
Adopting standard procedures for public process in the siting of any cellular towers under 15m.
Adopting standard procedures and enabling legislation for Municipalities to enact Exclusionary Zones within their Official Plans and Zoning Bylaws for Electromagnetic Radiation;
And that this resolution be forwarded to all Municipalities and Members of Parliament for their support.
Passed by the Municipality of Lambton Shores Council on the 18th day of June, 2012:
