Dear Mr. Martin Weatherall:

On behalf of the Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of Industry, I would like to thank you for your electronic correspondence dated August 31, 2006, regarding health concerns which you believe may be related to radiocommunication facilities in the vicinity of your home in Bright, Ontario.

Industry Canada recognizes the importance of considering the potential impact that radiocommunication antennas and their supporting structures may have on their surroundings. As a result, the Department instituted procedures which gives consideration to the environment; health and safety; and land use consultation. Industry Canada procedures for the siting of antenna structures are outlined in, Client Procedures Circular CPC 2-0-03, "Environmental Process, Radiofrequency Fields and Land-Use Consultation" which is available at our Web site: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/insmt-gst.nsf/en/sf01031e.html

With respect to the health concerns raised, Industry Canada has implemented procedures within CPC 2-0-03 which requires that all radiocommunication systems, (new and amended) be installed and operated in a manner that complies with Health Canada’s guidelines, entitled: "Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz - Safety Code 6." A copy of Safety Code 6 is available at the following Health Canada web site:

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/radiation/99ehd-dhm237/index_e.html. Specific questions on Safety Code 6, or other matters such as electromagnetic hypersensitivity should be directed to Health Canada at the following address:

Consumer and Clinical Radiation Protection Bureau Health Canada
775 Brookfield Road, A.L 6302C
K1A 1C1

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone: (613) 954-6699

In regards to your specific situation, it is my understanding that one of our Spectrum Management officers visited your residence in June 2004. At that time it was determined that there were no nearby radiocommunication facilities operating in your immediate area, and in conjunction with a walk around of your residence, while employing the use of a Safety Code 6 Alerting Device, it was determined that the Safety Code 6 levels for the general public were met.

In response to your recent enquiry and the concerns raised, I would like to indicate that we conducted another review of our licensing data on file and visited your area once more to see if anything had changed from a radio transmitter perspective. Our findings indicated that the closest radiocommunication installation to your residence is slightly over 3 kilometres away. As a result of this distance from your residence, the radiofrequency electromagnetic fields associated with this facility would be well within the SC 6 limits established by Health Canada.

I have noted your request for Industry Canada to complete a full electro magnetic radiation review at your home and would like to indicate that based on our initial visit, the results of our most recent review and the fact that there are no radiocommunication transmitters close to your residence, your request cannot be supported. However, you may want to contact your local health authority to determine if there might be other local issues that may be linked to the problems you are describing other than radio transmitters.

I trust you will find this information helpful. If you have any additional questions, I encourage you to contact Rick Hergott who is the Acting Director of our Central and Western Ontario District. Mr. Hergott can be reached (519) 571-6615 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Sincerely,

Doug Prentice
A/Director, Spectrum Management, Ontario Region
Directeur int., Gestion du spectre, Région de l'Ontario
Telephone | Téléphone: 905-428-8218
Facsimile | Télécopieur: 416-973-6272
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Industry Canada, 151 Yonge St., 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, M5C 2W7
Industrie Canada, 151 rue Yonge, 3e étage, Toronto, ON, M5C 2W7
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada

Website URL: http://www.strategis.gc.ca/spectrum
URL du site Web: http://www.strategis.gc.ca/spectre