On behalf of the Osoyoos Indian Band, Chief Clarence Louie announced last week that he and all band council members have  signed  a  governing document prohibiting Fortis BC,  the  local  utility company, from installing  “smart  meters” on  the  approximately 703 homes and businesses  on  the Osoyoos  Indian Reserve.

“Having  been  presented  with  science-based  evidence,  the  band  council  and  I  are  convinced  that  Fortis’ proposed  wireless  smart  meters  in  meshed-grid  networks  have  the  potential to  harm our children and our environment. No  scientist on the planet  has  been  able  to  verify  the  safety  of  these  extremely dangerous   devices that emit microwave radiation 24/7 in perpetuity  and  which  cannot  be  turned  off,” Louie said.

“As chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band, my first  duty  is  to protect my  people,  our  future  generations  and our  lands.  For  that  reason,  the  band  council  and  I  believe we need to err on the side of caution and respect the world’s leading independent scientists who say – and have evidence to prove – that electromagnetic radiation, especially pulsed radio and microwave frequency radiation is harmful to all living things.”

Louie said he is proud of the band council for standing up and voting to prohibit the installation of smart meters on reserve lands in order to protect  everyone who resides and works there.