Two new cell towers are coming to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, B.C., despite concerns from nearby residents about health and proximity to homes.
Telus plans to install two 15.7-metre antenna poles that double as streetlights on Shepherd Ave, just before Fifth St. in the Harewood neighbourhood. Nanaimo City Council approved a licensing deal at a special meeting on Monday, July 28, allowing the towers on city-owned land, reports Nanaimo News Now.
Ben Geselbracht was the only councillor to vote against the plan. He said he’s heard concerns from residents and isn’t convinced the area needs better service. “I haven’t really heard a lot of complaints around that particular area and need for these, so I’m having difficulties supporting,” Geselbracht said.
According to a city staff report, the neighbourhood has weak cell coverage, and the new towers would help fill the gap. Telus will pay the City $14,000 in annual rent, with increases tied to the cost of living.
In May, nearby residents were notified about the plan. Only one submission was received before the June 8 deadline—a letter signed by six people on Shepherd Ave. They objected to the towers being placed close to homes and suggested a 300-metre setback due to worries about electromagnetic sensitivity.
The Telus poles will replace two existing nine-metre city streetlights. The new towers won’t interfere with sidewalks, roads, or trees, according to the city.
While local governments like Nanaimo can weigh in, cell towers in Canada are regulated by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), which still needs to sign off on the project. Health Canada’s Safety Code 6 sets limits on radio frequency exposure.
If approved, construction could start as early as later this year, with a timeline extending into 2027. Other towers have recently been approved in Nanaimo, including one in the Hammond Bay area and another at 2517 Jingle Pot Rd.
Telus announced a deal this week to offload its cell towers in a $1.2 billion deal with one of Canada’s biggest pension funds.
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
The facebook tells me that some woman in Ontario once got sick from them 5Gs. She got pregnant too from the rays, you know, and that child is always on the internet. They named him Tommy. Now it also said that 5Gs cause anger too because that kid gets angry when you take his screens away. So now they want to put one of them mind control towers in our neighbourhood but… think of the children. We don't want them all to be like Tommy. The children. Science.
At an old job I had we had a mother state that her kids would go into convulsions do to the business having wifi. We gave her kids aluminum hats and all was resolved. True story!
How is this news?
What Health Fears? Lmao, stop the conspiracy nutjob