Opt out should be option
Hydro-Québec is in the process of installing smart meters and there is as much opposition to them in that province as there is in B.C.
The Quebec National Assembly has launched a petition to allow those who do not want the meter to be able to opt out and those who have had them installed the ability to have the installation reversed. The government cites four clauses in its petition, including the fact the Canadian guideline for microwave exposure limits, on which Hydro-Québec and the Energy Board base their decision, doesn’t take into account the biological, non-thermal effects of radio frequencies, effects reported by citizens whose homes are equipped with meters emitting potentially carcinogenic radio frequencies (World Health Organization) and that measurements of high density peaks of radiofrequencies emitted by new generation meters were ignored by Hydro-Québec, which chose to disclose only much lower average density measurements.
Currently there is a plan to allow customers to opt out with a monthly surcharge for manual meter reading. This petition addresses that as well. If Hydro-Québec can allow opting out there is no reason why B.C. Hydro cannot do the same. Obviously in Québec they do not see the need to have a 100 per cent inclusion of the smart meters.
William Jesse
Oak Bay
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