EMR Health Alliance of BC

Model Municipal Access Agreement

http://crtc.gc.ca/cisc/eng/ciscmanu.htm

Telecommunications Infrastructure in the City of Vancouver –  Feb 13, 2015

Okanagan-Similkameen

http://www.rdosmaps.bc.ca/min_bylaws/contract_reports/CorpBd/2018/20180104AgendaPackage.pdf

Maple Ridge 

# 8. GRAND FORKS: Microcell Transmitter Placement Consultation

WHEREAS public consultation on the placement of cell towers is mandated; AND WHEREAS new technology is moving away from these large towers to microcell transmitters which do not require local government or public consultation:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM petition relevant provincial and federal governments to mandate consultation with the land use authorities and the public regarding microcell transmitter siting within 100 meters of residences, schools and hospitals.

UBCM comments:

The UBCM membership has not previously considered a resolution asking the provincial and federal governments to implement a requirement for consultation with the public regarding placement of microcell transmitters specifically.

[6] UBCM would point out that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has been working for some time on behalf of local governments to address the issue of antenna siting, and in 2014, the federal government introduced new regulations for companies wishing to install radio communication antenna towers. The Joint Protocol on Antenna Siting, between FCM and the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA), reflects the 2014 regulations:

http://www.fcm.ca/Documents/reports/FCM/Antenna_System_Siting_Protocol_Template_EN.pdf

FCM confirms that Industry Canada has officially removed the exemption that had permitted antenna towers under 15 meters to be built without notification or consultation with local governments and the public. To be clear, companies must share towers where possible, consult with local governments and the public, and adhere to existing local antenna siting protocols.

It would appear that mechanisms are already in place to address the concern raised by the sponsor regarding placement of microcell transmitters. Rather than moving forward with a resolution on this issue, UBCM would encourage the sponsor to contact UBCM and FCM for assistance developing and implementing a local protocol for antenna siting.

In the context of resolutions, UBCM members endorsed resolution 2002-A6, which requested that the federal government “develop a workable, fair and meaningful process to adjudicate disputes relating to the location and siting of telecommunications towers, including effective dispute resolution mechanisms and enforceable penalty provisions.” More recently, the membership endorsed amended resolution 2012- B141, which called on the federal government to:

• institute a requirement for consultation with local governments prior to approval and installation of telecommunications towers or antennae;
• develop and adopt best practices for minimizing the impacts of towers in communities; and
• work cooperatively with local governments to resolve issues that may arise.AKBLG comments: Endorsed.