Dear Mr. Hird:

Thank you for your letter of November 24 responding to my 
earlier comments on this topic. I admit I was, and am, 
disappointed with your generic response. You did not deal 
with all of the questions I have put forward by any matter 
of means. To cite Health Canada guidelines as though they 
are enshrined and absolutely inviolate ignores the fact that  
our federal government moves slowly. Elected officials, as 
well as bureaucratic emplyees,  do not necessarily act in  a 
responsible fashion, opting for Canadian citizens’ health in 
each and every case. 

For example,  consider the tobacco industry, which the 
federal politicians  continue to protect in spite of the huge 
health issues tobacco use creates. They have chosen to 
ignore their own recent decision and significant investment 
in cigarette label formatting to  warn smokers. Instead 
recently they  overturned their own decision go forward 
with that statement of caution. We were  told when I was 
growing up that cigarette use was “cool” and “the thing to 
do”, etc. It took many years for the research to be done in  a 
credible fashion to give us the unbiased information which 
is now common knowledge. Witness also the asbestos 
industry. Of course there are many, many examples of 
corporate interests placed before  health concerns of 
Canadian citizens. 

When I attend the local Victoria Operatic Society 
performances and read, with gratitude,  about those those 
corporations which support their fine productions, I am 
happy to see that the arts sector receives this help. And 
there you are: “ Telus, the future is friendly”. For your 
support of the arts I thank your corporation.

However, your attempt to obfuscate the public process 
required under Industry Canada vs. a vs. a valid public 
consultation process in siting a cell phone tower at 4537 
Rocky Point Road in Metchosin baffles me. Surely it is not 
crass profit over any and all considerations? We who are 
questioning this location are deeply concerned at your 
choice of sites. It is not that we are trying to block cell 
phone use nor towers. It is however, not in our best 
interests, nor in the interest of our health as a community for 
you to plunk this (and what will follow) in the most 
populated area of our small and “rural” community. It 
would be, in addition, a very unsightly structure in the 
centre of such a lovely community. A community where one 
of the first tenets of our Official Community Plan and ethos 
is preservation of our rural values.

Our Mayor and Council have tried to get you to come to the 
table and to look at other options in this region for a site. It 
does not appear that you are interested in such a 
consideration... unless I have “missed” some sort of recent 
move to consultative dialogue. I refuse to believe that there 
are no other options. There are always options when parties 
are willing to look for them. We are not dinosaurs, nor are 
we without reasoned concern. However, I feel that  this is  
the manner in which you are treating us. It is unworthy of 
those of you in charge of  such development. The slow and 
now absent media leaks about your plans are not the 
behaviours we would expect from a responsible corporate 
body. The flawed process you have followed is not only 
disrespectful of our community, but it may in time prove 
that your desired site location has been a very clear and 
present danger to those living in its shadow. The scientific 
jury is not “in” on the potential hazards of these installations 
in close proximity to human population. It is not as though 
we live in a metropolis where there may indeed be few 
options. So, please, hear my own and our community’s 
concerns and do the right thing.

To summarize, “your interest in improving wireless services 
in Metchosin does not constitute our imperative to accept 
your need  and intent to use this proposed site at any cost, 
particularly  not in view of the the  potential long term costs 
to inhabitants. 

Note, which I suspect you already have, the  recent decision 
unanimously decided upon by the Parksville Municipal 
Council against allowing Telus to install telecommunications 
equipment on their new fire hall. Metchosin obviously was 
not in favour of this plan either. Why expose those of us in 
proximity in Metchosin to future health problems  for 
nearby residents  and potential claims which may result 
from Radio Frequency exposure from your installation? 
Please halt this process now. It is time to initiate a process 
which incorporates to the letter the Industry Canada 
guidelines. Again, time to do the right thing.
Thank you for your consideration of my views, and I look 
forward to hearing from you soon re these concerns.

Sincerely yours,
Sally Garcelon