MISA/ASIM Canada Voices Concern Over Federal Report 

Recommendations made to Industry Canada for the overhaul of telecommunications regulations would leave municipalities with no say in determining cable rights of way within their boundaries, MISA/ASIM Canada states.

The national organization is urging municipal IT professionals to make their senior managements aware of the implications of the Telecommunications Policy Review Panel’s 400-page report (www.telecomreview.ca), presented to Industry Canada in March.

During the panel’s review in August 2005, MISA/ASIM Canada submitted recommendations on telecommunications policy.  They are published in the News Archives section of this site.

Principal author of those recommendations was Frank Mayhood of the City of Kamloops, BC.  He has reported to the MISA/ASIM Canada Executive that the panel’s report, if implemented, would override any municipal control of rights of way.

“These policies could severely affect a municipality’s ability to control the placement and proliferation of telecommunications facilities, from poles to underground conduits to cell towers,” he said.

The Executive has agreed to spread awareness of this issue.