1) From a member. Can anyone with similar experiences, or info to share, email me at:
citizensforsafertech@shaw.ca. Please see “Letters“.
Subject: Re: Update 2024-02-14 – Reliable Copper Land Lines Disappearing
“Another way they are trying to force us out of their service is that the phones don’t work. I have now heard from 3 people who can’t get through to me on these new fancy phones. They get varying results: either the phone keeps ringing, but not at my home, no answer, or they get a message the number is not in service, or it just doesn’t engage. Their service reps aren’t accessible, and ignore messages left for them.
Anyone else you know that have had the same experience?”
2) For years we’ve been asking what happens during an emergency when power is out and the VoIP line is dead? Why is this moving forward when the answer to this dilemma is still outstanding? There are many advantages to Fibre Optic Cable (FOC) for the internet. Why can’t we have both a copper landline AND FOC? With the recent major concerns about hacking or attack on the wireless and power grid, why not have backup?
(click on photos to enlarge)
VEZINA: Good news and bad news in eliminating telephone landlines
Cyber threats can knock out the entire fiber-optic phone system to which an analog system is immune
“The only service in Canada that provides POTS is Bell, and it’s removing the cables out of the ground and replacing them with fiber optics.
There are advantages and disadvantages to this.
Fiber-optic cable is generally cheaper to maintain, allows for high-speed internet, and is more practically useful for a wide variety of modern services.
Copper wire is not practical for modern internet usage but it does provide an often not well understood benefit.
That is, copper wire does not require a backup power source.
For resiliency in an emergency, this is a critical distinction.”
3) We have an opportunity to express our concerns and to provide input on this very important topic until April 8, 2024. During an election period, politicians are more willing to listen to their constituents than normal — so please take advantage of this. Share your comments with your MPs — and with me so that I can share. Send to:
citizensforsafertech@shaw.ca and tell me if I can include your name.
Share your thoughts: Implementation Framework for a Right to a Healthy Environment in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
“On June 13, 2023, CEPA was updated with the first set of comprehensive amendments since the Act was enacted over 20 years ago. CEPA is the cornerstone of Canada’s environmental legislation to reduce pollution and protect the environment and human health. With these changes, the Government of Canada recognizes that every individual in Canada has a right to a healthy environment as provided under the Act.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada have developed a discussion document on the right to a healthy environment under CEPA and the key elements being considered for the implementation framework. The discussion document includes a series of questions throughout.”
The Discussion Document is at:
Letters:
From a member:
“Yes, it’s coming, I’m afraid. It’s hugely important to support the people of Deadman Creek, who are about to lose their landlines. They’re a test case initiated by the BC government – the NDP if you can believe it. If the Deadman people lose, we won’t be far behind.” sent from resident of Wells Gray Provincial Park
We had a phone outage of 11 days. Some residents have Starlink (quite a few now); one has VoIP. The rest of us waited anxiously for the service to be restored. Apparently we will never have cell towers up here (the rumour was that there would be one installed on Green Mtn for emergencies) as a local told me due to the landscape, it would necessitate too many towers for the service to be effective: too much cost for too few residents. I’m relieved; but I’m still nervous about the possibility of micro towers (should I be? I’m pretty ignorant about them) so I’m still paying an extra $20/month for a non-transmitting (enforced) smart meter, though we have a meter reader come regularly to read it (and would even if I had a transmitting one.)
Sadly, I now have a ‘smart’ washing machine, oven, and printer.
It’s getting harder and harder to find computers, etc, that aren’t exclusively Wi-Fi. To admit that one doesn’t have a cell phone is as ‘horrifying’ as admitting one doesn’t have an indoor toilet (and there is one of those up here ; )”
Sharon Noble, Director, Citizens for Safer Tech
“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.” Lyndon B. Johnson
Sent from my wired laptop with no wireless components. PLEASE Practice Safe Tech.