At their upcoming board May 26th Board meeting, the Strathcona Regional District will be considering opposition to TELUS’s proposed Cell phone towers on Cortes Island.
Opposed to the Quadra Island tower
They have already informed Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) that they are opposed to the proposed TELUS tower on Quadra Island because “the method of public engagement proposed by Telus did not meet what the SRD considers to be an acceptable standard.”
Considering opposition to Cortes towers
In a May 19 SRD staff report, it says:
“The public engagement process in respect of the Cortes Island cell tower proposals is similar in that questions, comments and concerns would be managed on a one-on-one basis rather than through a broader, community-wide discussion managed by the Regional District.“
“… Telus appears to be avoiding the standard process of seeking support from the local government before proceeding with finalization of its plans, the Board may wish to consider expressing its concerns to ISED regarding the lack of meaningful public consultation.”
Staff recommends that the SRD write a letter expressing their concerns to ISED and oppose any permission TELUS receives until the community has been properly consulted and supports the construction of the proposed cellular towers.
The SRD Board will vote on this recommendation in two days
Links of Interest:
- (SRD) Staff Report: PROPOSED CELL TOWER CONSTRUCTION — CORTES ISLAND
- (Cortes Currents) Proposed Cell Phone towers on Cortes & Quadra islands
- (Cortes Currents) TELUS intends to erect a Cell Phone Tower on Quadra Island
- (Cortes Currents) TELUS wants to put up 5 communication towers on Cortes and Quadra
- (SRD) TELUS’ Planned Wireless Service Improvements in the Discovery Islands
- (Cortes Currents) articles about, or mentioning, the Connected Coast project
Top photo credit: Apple iPhone SE 2020 by Aaron Yoo via Flickr (CC BY SA, 2.0 License)
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