A Nova Scotia resident is raising concerns over a cell tower being built by Ontario-based start-up Shared Tower, calling the company’s transparency and practices into question.
In numerous emails received by iPhone in Canada dating back to August 7, 2024, Kathleen O’Brien addressed Sandra Hallig, Planning Coordinator, at Shared Tower, copying multiple government officials, media, and community members.
O’Brien criticized Shared Tower’s inability to provide straightforward answers, such as how many cell towers it has erected since its inception in 2021.
“If you are not held accountable to Nova Scotians, then who are you accountable to?” she asked. She expressed frustration over the lack of public input and the company’s disregard for municipal bylaws and potential impact on the local community. O’Brien also questioned the legitimacy of the company’s claims and its commitment to conducting proper assessments. It’s unknown which cellphone company will be using the new tower.
O’Brien highlighted the placement of the 90-metre tower at 19 Highway 236, stating that the location puts her husband and three children and others at risk, as the tower’s “fall zone” encroaches on residential areas. Moreover, Shared Tower’s Google Maps satellite image used to depict the cell tower’s location was from at least 2017, pointed out O’Brien, saying numerous landmarks were omitted.
She raised concerns about the possible damage to water systems and wells and accused Shared Tower of providing conflicting information about engineering and environmental assessments.
In ongoing detailed and lengthy correspondence, O’Brien challenged the company’s reasoning for rejecting alternative sites, including a large 800-acre property at Gypsum Mines. She pointed out that the company’s explanations often contradicted previous statements, stating that Shared Tower is “trying to steamroll over the public and our community.”
O’Brien told iPhone in Canada that she believes her efforts are making a difference in ensuring the tower complies with local laws.
“Yes, it will change. I had to point out to the municipal planners (through the West Hants bylaws and Nova Scotia bylaws) that they could not send a letter of concurrence unless it met the bylaws. Our planning department was going to allow the company to break the bylaw if I didn’t argue it. When they change it, the base of it will have to be at least 97.62 meters from our property line. So at least we won’t be in the fall zone of the tower.”
O’Brien reiterated that her community is surrounded by open fields, wood lots, and an old mine with 800 acres of land, making it clear there are other viable locations for the tower.
“They chose the cheapest place and were not honest about why they couldn’t meet setback requirements initially. The municipality has a document from Shared Tower explaining why they couldn’t meet setback, but I [had] to use the [Freedom of Information Act] to read it,” she said. To clarify, she’s in the process of obtaining the document through an FOI request.
“If they can now meet setback, then that document would be false information they provided to the municipality. The company was very clear it was not possible until I pointed out to the municipality that they can not send a letter of concurrence for the location if the company isn’t meeting setback bylaws. I had to call our provincial department of municipal affairs before the municipality would accept that. There’s been a lot of sketchy things going on with this.”
O’Brien also plans to report Shared Tower for what she describes as misleading statements during their exchanges. “They said a lot of false statements during our exchange, which I have email evidence of, and I bet I’m not the only one they’ve done that to. They appear to say anything to get a tower placed where they want it to go. They have no interest in working with the community when it comes to cell towers.”
In a follow-up email interview with iPhone in Canada, O’Brien stated, “For their reply, many of my emails now revolve around the fact that I’m still waiting for actual replies. I don’t believe they have addressed all of my questions because I do not consider contradictory or false information an acceptable answer. They have yet to acknowledge or take responsibility for providing me with incorrect, misleading and in some cases false statements. If I wasn’t holding them accountable for the things they say, then they would have ignored our bylaws and would not have been carrying out all of the minimum requirements set by the federal government.”
Share Tower Responds to Allegations
When iPhone in Canada reached out to Oakville-based Shared Tower for comment, the company responded, “We have engaged with this resident extensively regarding her safety concerns and her questions about the location of the tower. We have disclosed all relevant information that is available to us. The resident has not raised any new comments or requests for information which have not been previously addressed.”
Shared Tower added that it adheres to federal regulations and works closely with engineers and construction firms to ensure health and safety standards are met.
“With the increasing demand for telecommunication services, particularly in emergency situations, it is essential to expand network infrastructure to ensure reliable and consistent access for communities. The proposed tower aims to enhance the telecommunications network to better meet growing demands for connectivity, support the digital economy, and improve community health and safety,” the company stated to iPhone in Canada via email.
O’Brien added that Shared Tower’s responses often deflect to the need for more cell towers rather than addressing the specific issues raised. “They continue to deflect by stating why we need cell towers, but no one is arguing against more cell towers. This is a poor location when there are other options in the area that would be away from residents,” she said.
She called for greater transparency from Shared Tower and urged for an audit of its operations and communications with municipalities. “Based on all of these emails, this location should be rejected and a new location found,” she concluded.
For now, the fight goes on, as Shared Tower has agreed to follow municipal bylaws for setbacks and move the tower’s location at least 98 metres from her property line. O’Brien lives with her husband and three children in West Hants, about 50 minutes by car northwest of Halifax.
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That's a long article to say this person is a NIMBY.