Human rights complaint against BC Hydro’s smart metres approved by tribunal

VANCOUVER – B.C.’s Human Rights Tribunal has accepted a complaint from a group that accuses BC Hydro of discriminating against people with certain medical conditions and disabilities.

The group, known as Citizens for Safe Technology, says it does not want smart metres installed.

It says its members have electromagnetic hypersensitivity or other disabilities and doctors have advised them to avoid wireless technology.

The group says it has contacted BC Hydro about its concerns, and claims the utility did not accommodate its request for wired meters instead.

BC Hydro says the complaint does not qualify as a human rights violation and accuses the group of lobbying on behalf of health preferences and for political motivations.

The company has said the smart metres are an essential upgrade that will improve public safety and monitoring of electricity consumption.

Although the Tribunal has approved the complaint, it says the types of disabilities and medical conditions claimed to be affected by smart metres must to be narrowed before the case can proceed.