OTTAWA – Telecommunications carriers have agreed for the first time to notify municipalities of all antennas being installed before their construction, regardless of height, and to undertake full public consultation for towers under 15 meters – whenever deemed necessary by the municipality.
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA) have announced a joint protocol on the siting process of wireless antenna systems. The Joint Antenna System Siting Protocol establishes a more comprehensive notification and consultation process than current regulations, and emphasizes the need for meaningful pre-consultation to ensure local land use priorities and sensitivities are fully reflected in the location and design of new antenna systems.
“The purpose of the protocol is to ensure there is notification and meaningful local consultation on the location and visual aesthetics of antenna systems before they are installed, and that Canadians continue to have access to the wireless services they need to support their businesses and stay connected with their families,” said FCM president Karen Leibovici.
The protocol is the result of a partnership between municipalities and the wireless industry, through FCM and CWTA, to address the challenges of building Canada’s digital infrastructure while respecting local land use preferences and community concerns.
