by Darreld Beauchamp I am sure that most of us share concerns for the environment and for responsible energy use. I expect we also share concerns for the health, privacy and finances of the families of this province.
A BioInitiative Report (http://bioinitiative.org/) authored by 15 scientists, researchers and health policy professionals documents evidence of numerous health problems beyond the cooking effect of microwave radiation. These non-thermal effects of microwave radiation include DNA breakage and cancer. The World Health Organization has also investigated radio frequencies and found a significant increase in deadly brain tumours.
So, my question is what scientific research is BC Hydro and the ministry of energy and mines using to prove there are no detrimental effects of a smart meter broadcasting on the other side of a wall from a sleeping infant, or a pregnant mother, or for that matter any citizen of the province of British Columbia?
My next concern is citizens’ privacy. We know that a smart meter will transmit information on an almost real-time basis about BC citizens’ energy use activities, information about when we get up, when we go to bed, when we are home and when we are not. We also know the government has chosen, from among other options, a wireless delivery of this data, data which may be hacked by anyone with the knowledge and interest in accessing the data stream.
Rich Coleman, minister of energy and mines, has provided no assurance to the families and citizens of BC that the data transmitted by the smart meter is secure, not hackable, and that the data will not be sold or given to a third party.
My next concern is lack of education about the smart meter initiative. Since this is a BC government initiative, what education has the government provided its citizens so that we will know in advance of the installation what the costs of the program are as well as the increased/decreased costs to the consumers? Ontario citizens, for example, seem to be reporting a large increase in their hydro bill since the installation of smart meters. Thus, it is not a decrease but, along with the cost of the meters and their installation ($1 billion of BC taxpayers’ money), an additional cost which the taxpayer must shoulder.
Finally, the installation of the smart meter constitutes an invasion of privacy; the information is not secure, the meters constitute a health risk, and this invasion and the health risk constitutes an infringement of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as we have the legal right to life, liberty and security of person.
The installation of these smart meters in Powell River is happening now. What will you choose to do about smart meters?
Darreld Beauchamp is a retired college instructor, past teacher, previous school board member, BC School Trustees Association Education Committee member and former BC Civil Liberties Board member.
