{"id":3280,"date":"2011-07-27T10:39:05","date_gmt":"2011-07-27T17:39:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/?p=3280"},"modified":"2011-07-28T21:05:03","modified_gmt":"2011-07-29T04:05:03","slug":"bc-greens-say-smart-meter-health-concerns-demand-action-stop-installation-create-long-term-smart-grid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/?p=3280","title":{"rendered":"BC Greens say Smart Meter health concerns demand action: stop installation, create long-term &#8216;Smart Grid&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-mode=\"normal\" data-oembed=\"1\" data-provider=\"youtube\" id=\"arve-youtube-0sjtgameinq\" style=\"max-width:900px;\" class=\"arve\">\n<div class=\"arve-inner\">\n<div style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3\" class=\"arve-embed arve-embed--has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"arve-ar\" style=\"padding-top:75.000000%\"><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<iframe allow=\"accelerometer &apos;none&apos;;autoplay &apos;none&apos;;bluetooth &apos;none&apos;;browsing-topics &apos;none&apos;;camera &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-read &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-write;display-capture &apos;none&apos;;encrypted-media &apos;none&apos;;gamepad &apos;none&apos;;geolocation &apos;none&apos;;gyroscope &apos;none&apos;;hid &apos;none&apos;;identity-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;idle-detection &apos;none&apos;;keyboard-map &apos;none&apos;;local-fonts;magnetometer &apos;none&apos;;microphone &apos;none&apos;;midi &apos;none&apos;;otp-credentials &apos;none&apos;;payment &apos;none&apos;;picture-in-picture;publickey-credentials-create &apos;none&apos;;publickey-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;screen-wake-lock &apos;none&apos;;serial &apos;none&apos;;summarizer &apos;none&apos;;sync-xhr;usb &apos;none&apos;;web-share;window-management &apos;none&apos;;xr-spatial-tracking &apos;none&apos;;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"arve-iframe fitvidsignore\" credentialless data-arve=\"arve-youtube-0sjtgameinq\" data-lenis-prevent=\"\" data-src-no-ap=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/0SjtgameInQ?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"675\" loading=\"lazy\" name=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-presentation allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/0SjtgameInQ?feature=oembed&#038;iv_load_policy=3&#038;modestbranding=1&#038;rel=0&#038;autohide=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autoplay=0\" title=\"\" width=\"900\"><\/iframe><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"http:\\\/\\\/schema.org\\\/\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/emrabc.ca\\\/?p=3280#arve-youtube-0sjtgameinq\",\"@type\":\"VideoObject\",\"embedURL\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\\\/embed\\\/0SjtgameInQ?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0\"}<\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Global News Vancouver<\/p>\n<div data-mode=\"normal\" data-oembed=\"1\" data-provider=\"youtube\" id=\"arve-youtube-wm9-q62hglw\" style=\"max-width:900px;\" class=\"arve\">\n<div class=\"arve-inner\">\n<div style=\"aspect-ratio:4\/3\" class=\"arve-embed arve-embed--has-aspect-ratio\">\n<div class=\"arve-ar\" style=\"padding-top:75.000000%\"><\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<iframe allow=\"accelerometer &apos;none&apos;;autoplay &apos;none&apos;;bluetooth &apos;none&apos;;browsing-topics &apos;none&apos;;camera &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-read &apos;none&apos;;clipboard-write;display-capture &apos;none&apos;;encrypted-media &apos;none&apos;;gamepad &apos;none&apos;;geolocation &apos;none&apos;;gyroscope &apos;none&apos;;hid &apos;none&apos;;identity-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;idle-detection &apos;none&apos;;keyboard-map &apos;none&apos;;local-fonts;magnetometer &apos;none&apos;;microphone &apos;none&apos;;midi &apos;none&apos;;otp-credentials &apos;none&apos;;payment &apos;none&apos;;picture-in-picture;publickey-credentials-create &apos;none&apos;;publickey-credentials-get &apos;none&apos;;screen-wake-lock &apos;none&apos;;serial &apos;none&apos;;summarizer &apos;none&apos;;sync-xhr;usb &apos;none&apos;;web-share;window-management &apos;none&apos;;xr-spatial-tracking &apos;none&apos;;\" allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"arve-iframe fitvidsignore\" credentialless data-arve=\"arve-youtube-wm9-q62hglw\" data-lenis-prevent=\"\" data-src-no-ap=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/WM9-q62Hglw?feature=oembed&amp;iv_load_policy=3&amp;modestbranding=1&amp;rel=0&amp;autohide=1&amp;playsinline=0&amp;autoplay=0\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"675\" loading=\"lazy\" name=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-presentation allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/WM9-q62Hglw?feature=oembed&#038;iv_load_policy=3&#038;modestbranding=1&#038;rel=0&#038;autohide=1&#038;playsinline=0&#038;autoplay=0\" title=\"\" width=\"900\"><\/iframe><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\t<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"http:\\\/\\\/schema.org\\\/\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/emrabc.ca\\\/?p=3280#arve-youtube-wm9-q62hglw\",\"@type\":\"VideoObject\",\"embedURL\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\\\/embed\\\/WM9-q62Hglw?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=0\"}<\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>A Channel Victoria<\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"AOLMsgPart_2_4b6ae686-4d80-4bb1-9eec-2522b59147fe\">\n<div>\n<blockquote>\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/image01.netatlantic.com\/go\/1857\/gp-bclogoh-bc-sun.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"220\" height=\"67\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE \u00a0July 27, 2011 10:29:41 AM PDT<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\">BC Greens say Smart Meter health concerns demand action: stop installation, create long-term &#8216;Smart Grid&#8217;<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Health, privacy, security and individual rights concerns demand use of Precautionary Principle to guide planning<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">(<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/go.netatlantic.com\/t\/24978736\/93930128\/205975\/0\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bio &#8211; Dr. Magda Havas PhD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">) (<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/go.netatlantic.com\/t\/24978736\/93930128\/205976\/0\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Publications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">July 27, 2011, Victoria, BC \u2013\u2013 All jurisdictions imposing blanket implementation of wireless Smart Meters face citizen backlash. Many have placed a moratorium on the installation of wireless Smart Meters pending further study. Others have cancelled their programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">BC Greens support development of a Smart Grid, of which Smart Meters may be one small and expensive component. If we are to encourage conservation, many other things need to be in place long before a decision is made to purchase a different kind of meter. The type of meter should be the last part of the plan and only implemented if they are proven cost effective and safe.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">BC Greens believe feed-in-tariffs, time of day pricing, incentives for conservation, programs and incentives to make homes and buildings more energy efficient, and a distributed grid must all be in place before switching meters. A cost benefit analysis needs to be presented to the public. BC should not follow Ontario down the road to higher costs and no net benefit. As well, wireless technology poses a potential risk to health and the environment and further research that is independent of industry funding is needed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Prior to implementation, all aspects of the plan must be placed before the regulator. The Clean Energy Act has done the opposite and removed the ability of the BC Utilities Commission to provide oversight on behalf of the citizens of BC.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Magda Havas <\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">is Associate Professor of Environmental and Resource Studies at <\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Trent University <\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">where she teaches and does research on the biological effects of environmental contaminants. Since the 1990s, Dr. Havas\u2019s research has focused on the biological effects of electromagnetic pollution including <\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">radio frequency radiation<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, <\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">electromagnetic fields<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, <\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">dirty electricity<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, and <\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">ground current<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">. She works with <\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">diabetics <\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">as well as with individuals who have <\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">multiple sclerosis<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, <\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">tinnitus<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, <\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">chronic fatigue<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">, fibromyalgia and those who are <\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">electrically hypersensitive<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Dr. Havas joins Jane Sterk, leader of the Green Party of BC in calling for cancelling implementation of the wireless smart meters. Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP for Saanich supports this change.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cThe smart meter program is another example of unsupportable assumptions based on industry lobbying rather than best practices,\u201d says Jane Sterk, leader of the Green Party of BC. \u201cGreens believe all public policy should be evidence based and founded in the Precautionary Principle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cBC Hydro\u2019s wireless smart meter program violates that principle. There are environmental, privacy and security concerns as well as the potential for adverse health risks. This is an issue that hits at the heart of democratic rights. Individuals have no ability to opt out of a program that may impact the health of those with electro-magnetic sensitivity,\u201d says Sterk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cI have great concern regarding the <\/span><strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">current levels of microwave radiation <\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">in North America,\u201d says Dr. Magda Havas. \u201cInstead of promoting wireless technology, we should be promoting wired technology and reserving wireless for situations where wired in not possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cShortly after X-rays were discovered, they were used in shoe stores to determine shoe-size for young children. Fortunately, we recognized that X-rays were harmful and we restricted their use to essential medical diagnoses.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWe need to recognize that microwaves are also harmful and we cannot use this technology in a frivolous manner. With more frequencies being used, with the levels of radiation increasing, and with so little research on the long-term, low-level effects of this technology we are creating a potential time bomb. If smart meters are placed on every home, they will increase our exposure to radio frequency radiation\u2013a potential human carcinogen\u2013and this is both unwise and unsafe,\u201d says Havas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">&#8220;The Green Party of Canada, through a resolution of our entire membership, has called for the current inadequate Health Canada regulations to be upgraded to the equivalent of the EMF regulations in Germany,\u201d says Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada.\u00a0\u201cWe are entirely too complacent about the growing evidence of health effects from wireless technology.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cBC Greens believe people should have a right to feel safe and secure in their own homes,\u201d says Sterk. \u201cAs it stands now, people cannot opt-out of the smart meter program.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\u201cWe favour a well formulated long-term plan with conservation as the driver. Most conservation goals could be achieved without replacing any meters. If it is determined we need new meters, people still need to be able to say no. With pricing and incentives and technology that has been demonstrated to be safe, opting in can be made the more attractive option,\u201d concludes Sterk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">&#8212;&#8211;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Contacts:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Jane Sterk, leader Green Party of BC<br \/>\n(250) 507-1715<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <\/span><a href=\"mailto:leader@greenparty.bc.ca\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">leader@greenparty.bc.ca<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">GPBC office<br \/>\n(250) 590-4537<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <\/span><a href=\"mailto:office@greenparty.bc.ca\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">office@greenparty.bc.ca<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Dr. Magda Havas<br \/>\n(250) 478-7892 or<br \/>\n(705) 748-1011 ex 7882 after Thursday<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <\/span><a href=\"mailto:drmagdahavas@gmail.com\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">drmagdahavas@gmail.com<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Elizabeth May, O.C., M.P., leader Green Party of Canada<br \/>\n(250) 657-2000<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> <\/span><a href=\"mailto:emay@greenparty.ca\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">emay@greenparty.ca<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/go.netatlantic.com\/db\/24978736\/93930128\/1.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/greenparty.ca\/media-release\/2011-07-27\/bc-greens-say-smart-meter-health-concerns-demand-action\">http:\/\/greenparty.ca\/media-release\/2011-07-27\/bc-greens-say-smart-meter-health-concerns-demand-action<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n<h2>Halt smart meter installation, says B.C. Green Party<\/h2>\n<h5><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/credit.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">CBC News<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\"> <\/span><strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Posted: Jul 27, 2011 3:15 PM PT <\/span><\/strong><strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Last Updated: Jul 27, 2011<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n<p>The Green Party of B.C. is calling for a halt to smart meter installation across the province over health and environmental concerns.<\/p>\n<p>Party Leader Jane Sterk said the meters that record energy use in homes and businesses would expose people to electromagnetic radiation, much like microwaves.<\/p>\n<p>She said the World Health Organization has cited electromagnetic radiation as a possible carcinogen.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So the Green Party is calling on BC Hydro to halt the installation of smart meters, to put in place a long-term energy plan,&#8221; Sterk said during a news conference Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>Sterk appeared with Dr. Magda Havas of Trent University in Ontario, who has written about the possible impact of cell phones or microwaves on fertility rates.<\/p>\n<p>Electromechanical meters throughout B.C. will be replaced by Smart Meters by the end of next year. BC Hydro<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The meters affect reproduction. It&#8217;s been shown that sperm are affected by this radiation,&#8221; Havas said.<\/p>\n<p>BC Hydro is set to replace electromechanical meters across the province by the end of next year as a way to reduce consumption.<\/p>\n<p>Hydro has said people cannot opt out of the smart meter program, although customers can choose to relocate the meters on their properties at their own expense.<\/p>\n<p>Sterk said the Green Party has supported smart meters in the past, but is now calling for a long-term plan to cut energy consumption, perhaps through the use of wired smart meters that would be safer.<\/p>\n<p>B.C.&#8217;s provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall said the meters emit the same kind of radiation as cell phones, microwaves and baby monitors but he notes people won&#8217;t have a choice when it comes to having the smart meters.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Peter Driessen of the University of Victoria added that smart meters transmit only a few minutes a day.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So I think you could argue that smart meters are less than or equal to or certainly no more than wireless internet on your laptop.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/british-columbia\/story\/2011\/07\/27\/bc-hydro-smart-meter.html\">http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/british-columbia\/story\/2011\/07\/27\/bc-hydro-smart-meter.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n<p>The Canadian Press<\/p>\n<h2>Green Party wants halt to Smart Meter installation over health concerns<\/h2>\n<p>By: <strong>The Canadian Press <\/strong>Posted: <strong>07\/27\/2011 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>VANCOUVER &#8211; The Green Party of B.C. is calling for a halt to Smart Meter installation across the province over health and environmental concerns.<\/p>\n<p>Party Leader Jane Sterk says the meters that record energy use in homes and businesses would expose people to electromagnetic radiation, much like microwaves.<\/p>\n<p>BC Hydro is set to replace electromechanical meters across the province by the end of next year as a way to reduce consumption.<\/p>\n<p>Hydro has said people cannot opt out of the Smart Meter program, although customers can choose to relocate the meters on their properties at their own expense.<\/p>\n<p>Sterk says the Green Party has supported Smart Meters in the past, but is now calling for a long-term plan to cut energy consumption, perhaps through the use of wired Smart Meters that would be safer.<\/p>\n<p>B.C.&#8217;s provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall says the meters emit the same kind of radiation as cell phones, microwaves and baby monitors but he notes people won&#8217;t have a choice when it comes to having the Smart Meters.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.winnipegfreepress.com\/arts-and-life\/life\/greenpage\/126277953.html\">http:\/\/www.winnipegfreepress.com\/arts-and-life\/life\/greenpage\/126277953.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022\u2022<\/p>\n<h2><strong><strong>Elizabeth May wages war against WiFi<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Daniel LeBlanc\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 July 28, 2011<\/p>\n<p>The Green Party is waging war against WiFi pollution, and Elizabeth May is leading by example.<\/p>\n<p>Ms. May, who was the first Green candidate to win a seat in the House of Commons in the last election, took to Twitter on Wednesday lay out her concerns over \u201celectromagnetic frequencies.\u201d The Green Party\u2019s main targets are so-called wireless \u201csmart meters,\u201d which are set to come into use in British Columbia to monitor the use of electricity.<\/p>\n<p><strong>More related to this story<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theglobeandmail.com\/life\/health\/wifi-in-schools-spark-parental-fears\/article1675037\/\">WiFi in schools spark parental fears<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theglobeandmail.com\/news\/technology\/barrie-parents-demand-schools-turn-off-wi-fi\/article1673535\/\">Barrie parents demand schools turn off Wi-Fi<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theglobeandmail.com\/video\/teachers-vote-down-wi-fi-ban\/article1677235\/\">Teachers vote down Wi-Fi ban<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Writing on her Twitter account (<a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#%21\/ElizabethMay\">@ElizabethMay<\/a>), the Green Party Leader <a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/#%21\/ElizabethMay\/status\/96091744076177409\">said<\/a> she was glad not to have WiFi at home, and joined ranks with parents who are concerned about the increased access to wireless Internet hookups in schools across Canada.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is very disturbing how quickly WiFi has moved into schools as it is children who are the most vulnerable,\u201d said Ms. May.<\/p>\n<p>Faced with critical reactions from some of her 28,700 followers, Ms. May said the World Health Organization lists electromagnetic frequencies as a \u201cpossible human carcinogen.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI do not act without scientific info,\u201d she said, as she called on Canadian authorities to adopt stronger controls on WiFi that are in place in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>However, Ms. May\u2019s comments on the fact that the use of WiFi might be related to the \u201cdisappearance of pollinating insects\u201d fuelled attacks over the soundness of her views.<\/p>\n<p>Still, the Green Party issued a news release shortly after Ms. May took on the issue in social media, calling for the cancellation of plans to introduce smart meters in British Columbia.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWireless technology poses a potential risk to health and the environment and further research that is independent of industry funding is needed,\u201d the Green Party said in its news release.<\/p>\n<p>The federal Greens are supporting the B.C. Greens on this file, relying on the studies of Magda Havas, an Associate Professor of Environmental and Resource Studies at Trent University.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith more frequencies being used, with the levels of radiation increasing, and with so little research on the long-term, low-level effects of this technology, we are creating a potential time bomb,\u201d Ms. Havas said. \u201cIf smart meters are placed on every home, they will increase our exposure to radio frequency radiation &#8212; a potential human carcinogen &#8212; and this is both unwise and unsafe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>BC Hydro recently received its first shipment of smart meters, which transmit information about energy use several times a day. The smart meters will replace electro-mechanical meters in every home and business in the province by the end of 2012.<\/p>\n<p>Given health concerns, BC Hydro has decided to allow customers to relocate the meters on their properties at their own cost.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere are people who adamantly believe there are [health concerns.] They are our customers and we want to be respectful and &#8230; responsive. We will do what is reasonable and, to the best of our ability, try to find a mutually acceptable solution,\u201d Gary Murphy, chief project officer for the $930-million program, said earlier this month.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theglobeandmail.com\/news\/politics\/ottawa-notebook\/elizabeth-may-wages-war-against-wifi\/article2112597\/?from=sec431\">www.theglobeandmail.com\/news\/politics\/ottawa-notebook\/elizabeth-may-wages-war-against-wifi\/article2112597\/?from=sec431<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Global News Vancouver A Channel Victoria FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE \u00a0July 27, 2011 10:29:41 AM PDT BC Greens say Smart Meter health concerns demand action: stop installation, create long-term &#8216;Smart Grid&#8217; Health, privacy, security and individual rights concerns demand use of Precautionary Principle to guide planning (Bio &#8211; Dr. Magda Havas PhD) (Publications) July 27, 2011, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,58,120],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3280","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ami-smart-meter","category-bchydro","category-green-party"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3280","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3280"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3280\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3313,"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3280\/revisions\/3313"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3280"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3280"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/emrabc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3280"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}