To the Editor,
Re: Wireless innovation drives B.C. economy, Guest Comment, Jan. 19.
I have to rebut John Winter’s views on wireless ‘smart’ meters and his attack on those who do not wish to have this program forced on them.
His attitude comes from an arrogant government/corporate alliance that can quickly turn fascist. It is a view that forgets that we are supposed to be a democratic society with choices, and it is a view that supported the elimination of the B.C. Utilities Commission from being involved in the mandatory smart meter decision.
Keeping rates low using smart meters is a myth. If the aim was to keep rates low, then the government would never have mandated that B.C. Hydro accept all new generation from the private sector, where long-term contracts are for electricity at two to three times what it can be resold for.
It is a typical case of profits for a few and taxpayers pick up the tab for billions of dollars of unrecoverable debt.
Many people will scoff at Winter’s reliance on the provincial health officer, local health authorities and Health Canada to inform us that wireless technology is safe.
The engineers and technocrats have expertise to a point, but when this EM radiation passes through the human body, they have no expertise at all.
There is backtracking of Wi-Fi taking place in countries such as Germany, France and Switzerland. In California as well as other states, there is mounting opposition to enforced smart meter programs.
Give democracy a break and don’t try to force smart meters on people.
Phil Marchant
Gabriola Island