By Ruby Pratka
Local Journalism Initiative
A citizens’ group in Bromont is concerned that the municipality may not be doing enough to push back against the construction of new wireless communication towers on its territory.
A proposed Videotron cell phone tower project was shelved in 2023 amid widespread public opposition; now, Mayor Tatiana Contreras said Rogers has expressed interest in building a similar tower, although no formal written request has been filed with the city. On May 21, at a special meeting primarily held to formally swear Contreras in as mayor – the former councillor was acclaimed by fellow councillors to succeed Louis Villeneuve, who stepped down to seek federal office and was elected MP for Brome-Missisquoi – councillors also tabled a three-page bylaw aimed at regulating permit requests for cell phone towers.
Contreras said discussions on developing a bylaw had been ongoing “since the Videotron debate.”
The proposed bylaw states that towers 15 metres tall or higher must be constructed so as to “ensure the harmonious integration of antennas and communication towers into the natural and built landscape … to preserve the visual quality of the area and the character of sensitive areas” and to “reduce the environmental, social, and security impacts associated with the installation of communication structures, particularly through rigorous planning.” It states that companies which propose projects must justify their necessity; show they have been “designed in such a way as to have a minimal impact on plant and animal life and wetlands;” “minimize their visual impact” including the use of discreet colours, non-reflective materials and limited light pollution; and minimize the cutting of trees around the site.
Contreras said the municipality could refuse to grant a permit to a noncompliant project, although any such refusal could be overridden by Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED). “The federal [government] could go over our heads if we refuse, but at least we would be able to say we refused.”
Pascal Gélinas is a spokesperson for the citizens’ group Comité Vigilance Bromont, formed during the debate over the Videotron tower. He argued that the proposed bylaw lacked teeth and didn’t take into account the potential effects of radiation from cell towers on human health.
“It’s a bit silly; all it says is that you need to protect sugarbushes and wetlands, to privilege industrial and commercial zones and avoid residential areas as much as possible,” Gélinas said. “When you write ‘avoid this as much as possible,’ that’s not a regulation – that’s a wish.” He also noted that the proposed bylaw did not cover antennas shorter than 15 metres.
Gélinas, a former filmmaker and producer for the Radio-Canada science program Découvertes, pointed out that there is still uncertainty around the health risks posed by exposure to the sort of radiation that cell phone towers emit. Some scientific studies have shown a possible link between exposure to cell phone radiation and certain forms of cancer. “Any antenna should be at least 500 metres from any house, school, daycare centre, seniors’ home, park, hospital or playground,” he said. “The health aspect is no joke – we can’t close our eyes just because most people don’t feel the effects at the moment. When in doubt, we need to not do this.”
Gélinas was also concerned about the speed and lack of public consultation around the tabling of the original draft bylaw. “There wasn’t really any discussion; I spoke and Ms. Contreras said it was not the time, point of order, she said don’t be shy to send her something in writing, which I’m going to do – I feel like their decision is made; they are scared because the federal [government] is involved, but the federal government is telling them, ‘Make your own rules.’ One thing the town did do right is that they said Rogers had to wait [while a bylaw was developed].”
Contreras said a public consultation will be held on June 17, before the final bylaw is tabled. “We hope people who have concerns come and talk to us then.” She added that the municipality planned to follow all Health Canada recommendations regarding cell towers.
“I’m not optimistic [about the public consultation] but I’d like to be,” Gélinas said. “For Bromont and other towns, it would be a great thing to set an example, to show some spine and protect people.”
The BCN was unable to contact representatives for Rogers or ISED before press time.