City council wants to hear all sides before deciding on a request for a moratorium on smart meters.
Councillors agreed unanimously that they would like to hear from and question BC Hydro on its smart meter program before voting on the request, made by Lori Onsorge during a presentation on the controversial topic, made Monday in council chambers.
Onsorge relayed details from a variety of studies and documentation on numerous health and safety concerns around smart meters. She noted Canada’s Health Act compels the city to take action on anything that could have a negative impact on human health./
Onsorge asked that council’s meeting with the Crown corporation be in a format where the public could ask questions. Council, however, said it would give BC Hydro the same opportunity allotted to Onsorge, with only councillors asking the questions.
Council was supportive of Onsorge trying to hold a separate public meeting. Coun. Alan Harrison suggested one could be held at the high school, where people who most use wireless technologies would have input. Onsorge, however, said that BC Hydro typically doesn’t respond to invitations to speak at community-driven meetings. That was the reason for coming to council.
“This is the voice of the community, this is the power of the people, where you sit,” said Onsorge.
Coun. Chad Eliason noted that delegates at recent Union of BC Municipalities convention voted 55 per cent in favour of a moratorium on smart meters, and that the province and the Crown corporation said they would be moving ahead with the program regardless.
Mayor Nancy Cooper said she would accept questions from Onsorge to ask BC Hydro.
Voted down
Council put the kibosh on a four residential unit development proposed for 721 Harbourfront Drive.
Neighbours who attended the related public hearing Monday evening noted there is a historical agreement that requires the subject property, and the 11 leading towards the SABNES trail, to be single family residential only. Council respected that agreement and the neighbours’ opposition.