Letter to Bernie Reis re: Antenna Systems, UNDRIP and Safety Code 6

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200-1627 Fort Street, Victoria BC  V8R 1H8 
Telephone  (250) 405-5151    Fax  (250) 405-5155 
Toll Free via Enquiry BC in Vancouver 660-2421.  Elsewhere in BC 1.800.663.7867 
Email  information@islandstrust.bc.ca 
Web  www.islandstrust.bc.ca 
 
 
Bowen  Denman  Hornby  Gabriola Galiano  Gambier  Lasqueti  Mayne  North Pender  Salt Spring  Saturna  South Pender  Thetis 
 File No.: 5590-30-10 
 X-Ref:  3070-20 
  3400-TH-OTH-2019.1  
  (TELUS/Cypress Land  
October 6, 2020  Services Inc.) 
 
SENT VIA EMAIL: Berniebernie.ries@canada.ca 
 
Bernie Ries 
District Office Manager  
Spectrum Management Operations Branch,  
Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada Government of Canada 
 
Dear Mr. Ries: 
 
Re: The Federal Licencing Process for Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems - 
United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and Safety Code 6  
 
I  am  writing  on  behalf  of the Thetis Island Local  Trust  Committee  (LTC) who  seeks information and 
guidance with respect to the federal licencing process for Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna 
Systems so that the LTC may become better informed when requested to consider concurrence on tower 
proposals and may work with Innovation  Science  and  Economic  Development  Canada (ISED) towards 
improving communications for all interested parties. 
 
The LTC is responsible through the provincial Islands Trust Act for land use planning and regulation for the 
Thetis  Island  Local  Trust  Area. Their  responsibilities  include  preparation and  adoption  of  official 
community plans, land use bylaws, zoning and subdivision bylaws, regulation of soil removal and deposit, 
and authorization of permits under Part 14 of the provincial Local Government Act. We, as the local land 
use  authority, are  tasked with responding to  requests  to  consider  concurrence  on  towers/antennas 
proposed within our jurisdiction, as a part of the federal licencing process. 
 
As  you  know,  the  LTC recently  considered two separate  TELUS  proposals  for telecommunications 
towers/antennas on Thetis Island. During the consideration of the proposals, two matters arose in which 
the LTC seeks further information and guidance from ISED. The first is with respect to ISED’s responsibility 
as it relates to engagement with First Nations and the second is regarding Safety Code 6. The LTC hopes 
to gain a better understanding of these matters to assist us as a referral agency in the federal licencing 
process, should these two proposals progress any further, and should the LTC be requested to consider 
any other future tower/antenna proposals.  
 
The  first matter is  with  respect  to the United  Nations  Declaration on  Rights  of  Indigenous  Peoples 
(UNDRIP) and  how  ISED  is  incorporating  it  into  the  Federal Licensing Process. Islands  Trust  is  actively 
involved in building relationships and fostering reconciliation with First Nations, and we are guided and 
co

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