OTTAWA – Canadians will have more say on new cell towers in their communities after the government revised its antenna tower siting policy Wednesday.
The changes to the policy mean wireless companies must now consult with communities on all commercial tower installations, regardless of height; build the tower within three years of consulting with communities; and ensure that residents are well-informed of upcoming consultations through clearly-marked communications. Municipalities are also encouraged to get involved early in the tower siting process.
Previously, companies only needed to consult when they were planning to build a tower higher than 15 metres, and there was no limit to the length of time companies could wait before they built a new tower. That said, the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities have already acted on this very issue, coming to an agreement last year, as we reported.
Industry Minister James Moore said that the government is also making efforts to strengthen federal communications with the public on tower siting procedures via new online resources and new reporting mechanisms that track tower issues and report back to communities.
"The placement of new cell towers is often a divisive issue in communities across Canada”, Minister Moore said in a statement. “It is essential that residents be at the centre of the process to determine the location of a new tower, and it is up to the wireless industry to ensure that local voices are heard. These new rules will give communities a better say in the placement of new cell towers."
It is also hoped that this move will encourage Canadian wireless companies to share tower space so that fewer sites like the one pictured above (where a Rogers, Bell and Eastlink tower sit side by side by side) are allowed to happen.
