We just got a letter in the mail from BC Hydro today informing us that our meter is about to be replaced by a smart meter to “create the foundation for modernizing BC’s electricity system. And, it will help us all enjoy safe, reliable, and more affordable power for decades to come.” -Ugg. I already wrote them a letter telling them we wanted nothing to do with it.

And here I was thinking there is a moratorium on putting up smart meters in BC — how naive I guess! I have heard from other folks getting these notes in the mail as well. There are indeed a LOT of people in BC concerned about this — 13,000 signed the petition to stop smart meters. BC Hydro has been told to stop but as usual these days, the people’s voice is ignored and the faceless machine rolls on. Actually I am in some ways glad to get this note, because it means we don’t already have a smart meter in our building and I have some hope to keep it out. It is inspiring to me to see these movements I am involved with here in Canada to actually be making a tiny bit of progress. I have never really thought that letter-writing campaigns and petitions really had much effect, but now both of these movements, the food freedom one and the smart meter one, people are concerned about modern technology and it’s effect on our health and we should have right to choose whether we eat irradiated food or whether we want to be irradiated ourselves.

THOUSANDS OF BRITISH COLUMBIANS SAY “NO” TO SMART METERS

The Liberal Government and BC Hydro state that only a small number of people are concerned about the Wireless Smart Meters being forced upon them without consent. This is not accurate. Within one week, thousands of signatures have been gathered on a Petition organized by Citizens for Safe Technology Society demanding a moratorium and full independent review of BC Hydro’s Wireless Smart Meter program.

To date, over 13,000 Petitioners are refusing the forced installation of Wireless Smart Meters, or demanding these same meters be removed for reasons of health, cost, privacy, security and safety. The Petition (both online and hard copies) will be presented to the Legislature on November 24, 2011, by John Horgan, NDP Opposition, Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources critic, MLA for Juan de Fuca.

How long will the Liberal Government and BC Hydro show such callous disregard for democracy and human rights? British Columbians refuse to accept the Government decree that they no longer have the right to choose to protect their health or the health of their families in their own homes. Wireless Smart Meters emit radiofrequency electromagnetic fields which were classified by the World Health Organization as possible to cause human cancer on May 31, 2011. Further, exposure to wireless emissions can exacerbete existing health conditions, and cause electrohypersensitivity, a physical health condition which can rob young and old of health and quality of life. The only remedy for this environmentally triggered health condition is to avoid wireless exposures wherever possible, and most importantly, within one’s own home.

Further, British Columbians are determined to protect their privacy and security by refusing to allow devices that disclose personal electricity use and behaviour patterns, which are also vulnerable to unauthorized intrusion. This is no longer a simple electricity meter, but a complex multiple channel radiofrequency transmitter surveillance device.

Reports are now being received of sudden onset ill health triggered by exposure to Wireless Smart Meters, most commonly headaches, insomnia, heart irregularities, dizziness and nausea. Further, we are aware of two situations where the Wireless Smart Meters have been removed and analogue meters replaced by BC Hydro due to residents’ complaints of ill health. Read More