A small group of protesters opposed to the installation of smart meters held a march and demonstration on Wednesday, February 29 in Powell River. They marched from BC Hydro’s offices on Duncan Street to MLA Nicholas Simons’ office on Marine Avenue, where they set up an information table.
The protest was organized by Occupy Powell River and coincided with a number of other rallies in the province, organized by the Coalition to Stop Smart Meters.
Wendy Pelton, leader of Occupy Powell River’s smart meter working group, said there were a number of concerns with smart meters, including an increase of electromagnetic radiation, protecting privacy and the security of homes and maintaining control over household appliances. “Even though greenwashing by BC Hydro tells us we’re going to have a cleaner environment as a result of these smart meters, the reality is we’re going to have a great deal more electromagnetic smog, which is pollution in itself,” she said. “We want the ability to protect our own physical and mental health, including the prevention of cancer, insomnia, headaches, neurological disturbance, among many other issues.”
Her personal concern is stopping the destruction of pollinating bees, Pelton said. “There are about three of four different ways in which the electromagnetic frequencies interfere with the ability of pollinating bees to actually do their job,” she said. “It actually destroys their immune system so they develop funguses easily.”
Daniel Adaszynski, one of the initial organizers of Occupy Powell River, said his main concern is switching to the way Ontario bills power, by different rates at different times of the day. “Historically that’s been coupled with raised rates all around,” he said. “A lot of people who don’t have the luxury of a laundry machine with a timer on it end up getting dinged just because they can’t take advantage of low rates at night.”
Simons could not attend the demonstration, but he sent a statement, which was read by his constituency assistant, Maggie Hathaway, who welcomed protesters. “Opposition New Democrats have consistently said the smart metering program should be subjected to a full and comprehensive review by the BC Utilities Commission,” she said. “This process would have allowed for public hearings and an open and transparent, evidence-based examination of all issues, including the cost and business case and the potential impacts on health and privacy.”
Simons encouraged protesters to continue to express their concerns to the ministry of energy and mines and BC Hydro.
