On June 14, many Shuswap and North Okanagan communities joined others across Canada in rallies defending democracy and raising awareness about BC Hydro and Quebec Hydro’s unethical deployment of wireless smart meters, and the smart grid (cell towers, collectors etc.) they are designed to feed.
In solidarity with Montreal, B.C. rallies took place in the Lower Mainland, Victoria, Nanaimo, Courtenay, Powell River, Salmon Arm, Nelson and Kelowna.
Turnouts were significant and enthusiastic. Salmon Arm’s rally along the Trans-Canada and at the plaza, addressed many aspects of the smart grid program: the lack of government and corporate honesty, disregard for safety, security, privacy, health of families and communities, jobs, radiation, fire risks, inaccurate and skyrocketing Hydro bills, appliance blowouts, the importance of human dignity and public consultation, human rights and the environment.
Locally the focus was on the microwave radiation grid, from smart meters to cell towers (http://youtu.be/UNhW1gMeOuY). It demanded the relocation of four dangerously placed towers in the city, and stressed the need for public forums on this matter, including the need for city council and staff to develop their Cell Tower Siting Consultation Policy using research from non-industry funded scientists. They must look beyond their present reliance on Industry and Health Canada’s standards, which many know are flawed, supporting industry first, rather than the safety and health of Canadians. Remember Health Canada’s record of supporting tobacco, asbestos, thalidomide and others that have had devastating consequences on health.
The World Health Organization in 2011, reclassified all emissions from wireless devices as a Class 2 possible cause of human cancer; however, the public is generally unaware of this health risk from their everyday exposure to this convenient technology. Also, a significant percentage of the population are experiencing ill health symptoms associated with electrosensitivity (EHS).
Barbara Robinson,
Representative – Citizens for Safe Technology Society
