Cell Towers ISED - July 2026 Call to Action

Call to Action

              spectrumoperations-operationsduspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca        

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We wish we could tell you that the proposed changes by the federal government are all a joke - but they are not. Aside from trying to have Health Canada's Safety Code 6 properly updated, this is the most serious regulatory issue we have encountered since C4ST was formed in 2012.

I know time is short but we need many people to "speak up" to turn this around. The proposed changes, once adopted, will be difficult to reverse. 

Please take the time to sign our petition and make a submission to ISED. Clearly state up front,  that given all of the new technologies, novel radiofrequencies and  escalating deployment of huge numbers of cell tower antennas, ISED needs to conduct a proper Canada-wide thorough study as was done in 2003/2004. 

If you have time, also add that you are opposed to one/some of the proposed changes list below.  Further actions are also suggested. 

The federal government is proposing to change the rules for cell tower sitings (locations) which will result in communities having little or no say about cell tower antennas. We already have more than 50,000 cell towers and 2,000,000 transmitters across Canada and MANY more are being planned. 

Cell tower siting decisions will be handed over to the telecommunications industry unless Canadians speak up.

Your voice matters! We have some suggested actions for you.  

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The two most important actions: 

1. Sign our petition and
2. Make a submission to ISED - SHORT or LONG (see below).

Other possible actions are also suggested. 

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1. Read and sign the petition to Prime Minister Carney and Industry Minister Melanie Joly: 

https://c4st.org/eng/petition_ised.php

Bonus: After signing the petition, you will also be able to, with an additional click on a check box, send an email to your MP and with another click on a check box, indicate you would like future updates.

2. Make a submission to ISED:

For either a SHORT or a LONG submission (whatever you chose to do) start with the first 3 points 1), 2), 3).

1) Copy and paste the email address of ISED in an email: 

spectrumoperations-operationsduspectre@ised-isde.gc.ca

2) Copy and paste this in the subject line of your email
- - Submission to Consultation #DGSO-001-26 - -

3) Copy and paste this into the top of your email:
- - I hereby submit my comments in reference to Part I, Volume 160, Number 21 of the Canada Gazette published on May 23, 2026, entitled Consultation on Amendments to the Tower Siting Process and Decision on Roaming, Tower Sharing and Annual Reporting Requirements for Terrestrial Licences. Reference number : DGSO‐001‐26 - -

4) For a SHORT submission, start with something like:

- - As a concerned Canadian resident, I ask that you pause the current public consultation which is inadequate for changes of this magnitude - and hold a full, independent public review before making major changes to the rules governing new cell towers. - -
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More attention will be given a to submission that is personalized in some way - perhaps provide your experience with a cell tower in your community. Also you could add one or more of the key issues as a concern and reason for your objection to the way the consultation is being conducted. Some key issues are listed below.

Note: Mentioning health or property values is fine but will be easily dismissed. 

Some key issues to add for your SHORT submission -  pick one or more ... 

a) there will be no public notification of cell towers 15 metres and less in height
-- that means your neighbour could put one up without you getting any notice. ISED would not have any record of this tower. All it would take is a "willing landlord."

b) the only notice given to the public for a taller tower will be a single sign at the proposed site
--- this is, to say the least, insufficient notice. Written notices to those close to the proposed site and newspaper ads would be discontinued.

c) the sign at the proposed site, if people see it and recognize its significance, would direct people to an online portal. The portal will be hosted by ISED but communications regarding the proposed cell tower will be between the cell tower proponent e.g. the telecommunications company, and the public and land-use authority (LUA), such as a city council/municipality. ISED will not keep records of communications and will give this responsibility to the proponent.

d)  ISED will establish a list of "valid concerns."  No mention is made about the visual impact that a tower may have as an eyesore in a residential area. Nor is mention made of impact of property values being affected. Health concerns are dismissed by deferring to Health Canada's (woefully inadequate) Safety Code 6. More on these issues below.

e) Land-use authorities such as municipalities' influence will be greatly diminished. All local cell tower siting protocols will be abolished. There will be a one-size-fits-all protocol and communications will be channelled through the online portal. 

f) The time for a response by the LUA will be reduced to 45 calendar days from 120 calendar days. If the LUA does not respond, ISED will deem the cell tower approved, i.e. approval by default.

g) If the LUA does not agree (concur) with the proposed cell tower the LUA will have to trigger the dispute resolution process in a very limited timeframe. Again, failure to do so will result in automatic approval of the cell tower.

h) ISED wants to facilitate the deployment of small cell antennas. These small versions of cell tower antennas, that can be installed on lampposts, sides of buildings, etc.  will be using radiofrequencies that have not been widely used as well as utilizing novel technologies such as massive MIMO (Multiple input- multiple input) and beam-forming arrays. These radiofrequencies have not been adequately safety tested for short-term nor long-term use.  

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For a LONGER submission - 

Refer to the "Guide" on the C4ST website which has information that can be included in a longer submission. 

https://c4st.org/docs/Guide_Your%20voice_matters.pdf

OTHER POSSIBLE ACTIONS - 

-- Write separately to each of these elected federal government representatives: Prime Minister Carney, Minister Joly and your MP asking for a proper study as was done in 2003/2004 and include one or more of the key issues listed, and personalize it. Make sure to ask a specific question or two.
(They don’t pay much or any attention to cc’s, which is why each person must be addressed individually.)
Follow up with a phone call to each of them.

   https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en         

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~~  Write to your land-use authority (i.e., your city council, rural municipality) and let them know what is going on.   

~~ Spread the word — for example, tell family and friends.

~~  Distribute information on social media.

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Cell towers do not belong close to homes or playgrounds!

Before and after ... no visual impact?

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A link to the English version of ”Canadian RF-EMF Declaration – 2026” and how to sign can be found at:
https://c4st.org/eng/declaration_view.php
A link to the French version, “Déclaration canadienne sur les CEM-RF – 2026” and how to sign can be found at:
https://c4st.org/fr/declaration_view.php 

To see who has already signed on, look under VIEW SIGNATORIES: https://c4st.org/eng/declaration_view.php

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                     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeI30QFy7R8         

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   https://gofund.me/7ffbcc4f          https://gofund.me/7ffbcc4f         

   https://www.appel5gappeal.ca/         

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To get on the C4ST email list: If this email was forwarded to you and you would like to be put on our meeting notice list, please email:      margf.c4st@gmail.com

To find out more about C4ST and how to get involved contact: shelleyw.c4st@gmail.com

Best wishes,
Marg Friesen M.Sc.

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C4ST does not necessarily agree with all statements made at meetings nor endorse any commercially available products referred to nor on websites mentioned.