\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n SMART METER CLASS ACTION FILED JULY 25, 2013<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n DEMANDING RIGHT OF FREE CHOICE FOR ALL<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Commencement of proceedings<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With the support and representation of the Citizens for Safe Technology Society & the Coalition to Stop Smart Meters, a class action has been brought against BC Hydro by Salt Spring Island resident, Nomi Davis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The action was commenced on July 25, 2013, through the filing of a Notice of Civil Claim with the B.C. Supreme Court registry in Vancouver. A copy of the filed Notice of Civil Claim is posted at:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n http:\/\/citizensforsafetechnology.org\/Notice-of-Civil-Claim-in-the-Supreme-Court-of-BC–July-25-2013,25,3259<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n The Class<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A detailed description of the Class is set out at paragraph 29 of the Notice of Civil Claim.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Quote attributable to Steve Satow:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf BC Hydro has forced a smart meter on you, threatened to cut off your power or refused to provide you with power unless you accepted a smart meter, then you may fit within the Class of persons on behalf of whom this claim is brought.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Persons wishing to support or participate in the action may contact\u00a0<\/span>www.citizensforsafetechnology.org<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Remedy sought<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The lawsuit seeks relief set out at paragraph 30 of the Notice of Civil claim, including an order that BC Hydro remove unwanted smart meters as well as a permanent injunction restraining BC Hydro from exacting payment in exchange for an opt out.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Quotes attributable to Sharon Noble:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cFreedom to control the possible carcinogens emitted from one\u2019s own home is not a luxury, it is a right.<\/span><\/p>\n We will not stand by and let a government authority extort a payment in exchange for the preservation of our rights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAlready, people have long endured the operation of smart meters at their homes against their will.\u00a0 Time is of the essence here.\u00a0 Gestating and nursing mothers are particularly concerned about exposure and want those smart meters removed.\u00a0 We want free choice, free of charge \u2013 and we want it now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Health fact<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n On April 19, 2013, the World Health Organization\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>International Agency for Research on Cancer\u00a0<\/span><\/i>released a detailed report explaining its designation of smart meter and other radiofrequency emissions as a possible human cancer agent.\u00a0 The 462-page report is publically available at:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n http:\/\/monographs.iarc.fr\/ENG\/Monographs\/vol102\/mono102.pdf<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n About the representative plaintiff<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Nomi Davis is a Salt Spring Island yoga teacher on whom a smart meter was imposed in a deceptive and coercive fashion against the resistance of Davis and her supporters.\u00a0 The August 22, 2012, event was taped:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8FSDdeXm8dQ<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The media is requested to direct inquiries of Davis to her representatives, the Citizens for Safe Technology Society, the Coalition to Stop Smart Meters or her legal counsel, David M. Aaron.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why now?<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Quote attributable to Una St. Clair:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhile the government mulls over its next policy manoeuvre, it can consider the assertion of fundamental legal rights that this lawsuit represents.\u00a0\u00a0 We are not going to sit and wait while the government serves up policy at its pleasure.\u00a0 There are rights at stake and it is through the judiciary that we will see to their preservation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf I choose to avoid chemical fertilizers on my property because I think they\u2019re unhealthy, that is my choice.\u00a0 The same goes with exposure to smart meter radiation.\u00a0 In a free and pluralistic society, a possible toxin cannot be forced down anyone\u2019s throat \u2013 or forced onto one\u2019s property.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Legal commentary<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Quote attributable to David M. Aaron, counsel for the Plaintiff:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The lawsuit asserts that the home is a private domain where free choice and autonomy rule.\u00a0 It claims a right of control over environmental exposures generated from one\u2019s own domestic dwelling;\u00a0 and it alleges that BC Hydro has unlawfully leveraged its monopoly powers to violate that right by coercively and deceptively imposing a smart meter on the Plaintiff and other members of the Class.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n Next steps in litigation process<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It is expected that BC Hydro will receive service of the Court documents today.\u00a0 B.C. Hydro will have 21 days (from being served) to file its defence pleading (Response to Civil Claim) after which the Plaintiff will seek to have the action certified under the Class Proceedings Act.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Contacts<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sharon Noble, CST Director \u2013 250-478-7892<\/span><\/p>\n Steve Satow, CST Advisory Board Member, 250-744-2244<\/span><\/p>\n Una St.Clair, CST Executive Director \u2013 604-607-8601<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Website<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n www.citizensforsafetechnology.org<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n View in PDF FORMAT<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n CLICK HERE to JOIN this Class Action<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n