Ontario Politicians Back Residents Fighting Controversial 5G Tower

Some Etobicoke, Ontario, residents are fighting a proposal for a 25-metre 5G cell tower in a strip mall parking lot, raising health concerns despite reassurances from Health Canada and federal regulators.

The tower is planned for Rathburn Road and Renforth Drive by Oakville-based Shared Tower, which says it will host equipment for at least three carriers to improve local service. The company argues “poor cellular service issues are greatly affecting surrounding areas,” and insists the tower would meet federal safety rules, reports the Toronto Star.

But residents—joined by local politicians—say the location is too close to schools and seniors’ homes. A petition led by Teresa Del Guidice says, “We firmly believe that increased health risks will directly impact the community at large due to the radio frequency electromagnetic fields emitted from this tower.”

Etobicoke Centre MP Yvan Baker told the Star, “I believe the proposed location is completely inappropriate because it’s in close proximity to a number of sensitive sites … I think their health and well-being should be prioritized over the profit interests of large telecommunications companies.”

Health Canada maintains that “based on the available scientific evidence, there are no health risks from exposure to the low levels of radiofrequency EMF from cellphones, cellphone towers, antennas and 5G devices.” Shared Tower says emissions will remain far below the limits outlined in federal guidelines.

Still, opponents say they want their concerns heard. “People are asking to be heard,” said Markus de Domenico, former Catholic school board chair. “That’s not democracy” if community voices are brushed aside.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about residents pushing back against proposed cell sites by Shared Tower. Last fall, Nova Scotia residents were fighting back against a tower that was being installed too close to a rural home.