"Public board sides with Health Canada, Ontario premier

"Dave Miller says the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board trusts Health Canada's belief that Wi-Fi is not a cause for concern. (CBC)

"The man behind the public board's plan to wire the schools is siding with Health Canada. He also said most parents are excited by the prospect of their children using wireless internet to learn.

"Mostly, we are hearing calls about when are we going to get this installed, and how come it hasn't been done by now," said Dave Miller, manager of business and learning technologies at the school board. They ask, "How come I'm not ahead of the other guy?"

"Some west Ottawa parents are speaking out about their concerns with wireless internet connections in their children's school, saying not enough is known about long-term exposure to Wi-Fi . . .

"Our children should be dissecting rats, they shouldn't be functioning as lab rats," Van Hees said, "And this constitutes as a massive experiment on children." "Jessica Van Hees says children are being put at risk by schools that have Wi-Fi. (CBC)

"About one-third of schools at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board are already equipped for Wi-Fi, but the plan is to have all schools, including portables, ready by the end of 2012. Semple and Van Hees Both say their school has not informed them about installing Wi-Fi, which is set for March.

"There is conflicting information about whether exposure to radio frequencies from a wireless internet connection is a health hazard.

"A World Health Organization report from May 2011 indicates the frequencies may be linked to some forms of cancer. In December, Health Canada updated its website to acknowledge the alternative viewpoint from international agencies but insists more research is needed and Wi-Fi is no cause for concern . . .

The Globe and Mail: Posted February 20, 2012

Intro:   "The Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association has called for schools to stop installing Wi-Fi because it poses a "potential health and safety risk" to staff and students.

"Let's hope that the science being taught in our schools is a lot better than the "scientific" reports that teachers are producing for each other . . .

"That's because the OECTA Wi-Fi study, entitled "A position regarding the use of Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation, including WiFi, in the workplace," is a disturbing mix of fear-mongering, false assumptions and twisted logic. Where to begin . . .

Poll Choices:
No, that's ridiculous, just look at the science
Yes, it's important to be cautious with our children's health
Maybe, if new damning evidence emerges WiFi radiation?
Teachers need to worry about more important things

First Posted February 21, 2012

Intro: "Some west Ottawa parents are speaking out about their concerns with wireless internet connections in their children's school, saying not enough is known about long-term exposure to Wi-Fi . . .

"THEY have long feared that a mobile phone mast has been causing cancer in their village. Now the residents of Benajarafe have scored a massive victory by having it removed.

"After a two year battle, Vodafone has been ordered to take down the controversial transmitter.

"The locals are adamant that the mast, which stands just metres from their houses was the reason for a high incidence of recent cancer deaths.

"Of the nearly 400 residents there have been a staggering 50 cases of cancer with more than 30 people dying in recent years.

"Many others claim to have been suffering from insomnia, headaches, depression and memory disorders due to the mast . . .

"Please be advised that I am legal counsel for the Canadian office and Professional Employees' Union, local 378 (COPE 378). The Union wishes to comment with respect to this Complaint.

"Although the Clean Energy Act limits the jurisdiction of the Commission in some respects in relation to enumerated BC Hydro contracts and capital projects, the Commission's powers and responsibilities remain intact beyond the boundaries of those legislated intrusions.

"In the case of SMI, the limits imposed by the Act upon the Commission's jurisdiction are delimited by the terms of the Smart Meters and Smart Grid Regulation, B.C. Reg. 368/2010. BC Hydro does not require the Commission's approval in order to comply with the specifications set out in that Order in Council. However, if any aspect of the SMI program being implemented by BC Hydro deviates from the Regulation or extends beyond it - for example, by incorporating a feature or capability which is not specified in the Regulation - it requires regulatory approval in the normal course . . .

BCUC Complaint

Presentation by Werner Hoffelinck - Vernon CST

Alasdair Philips is qualified in both Electrical and Electronic Engineering, as well as Agricultural Engineering. In 1998, he started the British organization Power Watch, which is committed to uncovering the specific details of how electromagnetic fields (EMFs) affect our health and how we can practically protect ourselves against detrimental effects.

"The British organization Power Watch, founded by Alasdair Philips, is committed to uncovering the specific details of how electromagnetic fields (EMFs) affect your health and how you can practically protect yourself against detrimental effects.

"While the international safety standard for power fields, such as those emitted from overhead power lines, is set at 1,000 milliGauss, more than 20 studies have linked exposure at a mere 4 milliGauss to childhood leukemia.  

"Certain home appliances are particularly troublesome, in terms of the EMF emitted, such as electric heaters, electric stove rings, microwave ovens, electric blankets, and hair dryers.

"Under current guidelines, we are now allowed to expose ourselves to one billion-billion-billion-fold more energy within a particular part of the electromagnetic spectrum than our ancestors were exposed to 100 years ago. Therefore, it is prudent to reduce your EMF exposure as much as you can, particularly where you sleep, and to try to make your home into an "EMF safe zone" to allow your body to rest and restore from the daily assault of radiation.

"One of the best definitions of concentration is, "wherever you are, be there."

"As the number of students using cellular phones in school has grown, situations have arisen when I had to stop a student from using his/her device in class. In those moments, I had to stop teaching and helping other students and instead deal with the cellphone use. Despite the TDSB ban on the use of cellphones in schools, some students continued using their devices at lunch time, before class, and between classes.

"In spring 2011, TDSB Trustees voted to lift the ban on cellphone use. This came to a vote as a result of a proposal made by two Student Trustees and, surprisingly, without consultation with teachers even though teachers would be subject to direct consequences from this decision.

"Allowing young students to use cellphones at any time--especially in school--not only causes many unnecessary environmental and health hazards but also encourages and increases inappropriate moral, ethical and social behaviours in school settings (and elsewhere).

"Since September 2011, as the result of the new cellphone policy, and despite administration's clear message of not using the device without the teacher's permission, and despite several big signs reminding students to turn off their cellphones prior to entering the class, my classes are disrupted at least once each day because a student is texting. This causes extra work and additional classroom management issues for me . . .