Algonquin Highlands has taken a stand against Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), refusing to endorse updated federal regulations designed to speed up approvals for new cell tower installations.
Proposed changes to legislation covering radiocommunication and broadcasting antenna systems were issued by ISED in May. The body said the aim is to accelerate rural connectivity and 5G network expansion by “modernizing public notifications and streamlining municipal review processes.”
Township planner, Aaron Bell, broke down the changes for Algonquin Highlands council at a Sept. 17 meeting. The most impactful, he said, is the removal of local public consultations that tower applicants had to organize before a site could be approved. That will be replaced by a digital portal where people can comment on projects online.
“They intend this portal to function as the sole notification consultation mechanism for proposals all across Canada,” Bell said.
There will be no requirement for applicants to advertise new projects in local newspapers, while on-site signs will only require a QR code people will need to scan to get more information. Application fees, set at $500 in Algonquin Highlands, have also been removed.
The notification process is also changing. Currently, applicants must mail notice of a project to all property owners within 500 metres of a proposed tower site, or 1,000 metres if it’s close to a lake. Now, ISED is mandating that notice be given only to residents who live within three times a tower’s height. With most structures ranging from 30-60 metres, that means only properties 90-180 metres from a site will be notified.
“It’s quite a big change,” Bell said.
ISED said it will also be enforcing a 45-day review clock for residents and municipalities, with Bell saying a late or non-response will trigger automatic federal approval. While local councils retained the right to object to projects based on visual impact and environmental sensitivity before, they can now only oppose for federal procedural and safety breaches.
The township has maintained its own policy for cell tower approvals for more than a decade, but Bell said the updated federal regulations would supersede them.
Outgoing deputy mayor, Jennifer Dailloux, said she was very concerned about this new direction.
“I would say strongly none of these changes are in the best interest of the local population. Townships such as Algonquin Highlands have refined and improved our consultation and notification policies in direct reflection of the experiences we’ve had with these local communities and the lessons we’ve learned.
“The lakeside experience is very different from being in a city surrounded with high rises. We know what we’re doing here and why we’re doing it – because it’s in the best interests of our people and community,” Dailloux said.
Cell gap project
The issue is a big one in the Highlands given the controversy surrounding the Eastern Ontario Regional Network’s (EORN) cell gap project, which wrapped in August. Partnering with Rogers and the provincial and federal governments, the $300 million initiative delivered 657 new, co-located and upgraded towers.
“5G cellular services are now available across eastern Ontario, improving services for residents, businesses, first responders, municipalities, Indigenous communities and visitors in the region,” EORN said. The cell gap project targeted 99 per cent voice call coverage, 95 per cent standard definition video coverage, and 85 per cent high definition video coverage in populated rural communities and highly-travelled roads and highways.
In August, EORN said there was a 100 per cent completion rate for upgrades to existing towers, at 311, though only 234 of 257 planned new towers were built – a 91 per cent success rate.
Twenty-one upgrades to existing towers were completed in the County, with four new co-locations, though only 19 of 29 new towers are currently in service – a 65.5 per cent success rate.
Of the proposed new sites, 12 were set for Dysart et al, six each in Minden Hills and Highlands East and five in Algonquin Highlands.
The Highlander did not get confirmation on the 10 projects that haven’t been completed but know Algonquin Highlands council refused to provide concurrence for a tower on Hwy. 60 near Oxtongue Lake in 2023, which didn’t proceed. Minden Hills council also opted against supporting a tower slated for Bobcaygeon Road last fall.
Ward 2 coun. Sabrina Richards called the update “an attack to democracy at the municipal level” and pitched maintaining the local policy, despite having no teeth.
“Even though we have little control when a higher level of government comes in and wants to make changes, we have found when we vote against things we’re not supposed to vote against – like previous tower sites – they do listen,” Richards said.
Algonquin Highlands and Highlands East are the only two County townships with cell tower policies.
CAO John Connolly recommended council maintain what it has, with staff taking on the role of notifying residents within 500 or 1,000 metres of a site, depending on location, and organizing public consultation.
“This is a case of, are we going to get hit in the face or the gut? It’s not the kind of policy we want. We want to maintain the local autonomy. There will be difficulties for providing the advocacy – but I think we still need to do that,” Connolly said. “This is an important issue, a local issue, and I think we need to keep banging the drum.”
