After more than a year of refusing a smart meter, Roots and Wings Montessori has lost its power to say no.
BC Hydro cut electrical service to the private Langley school on Friday, March 13.
“I was shocked. I couldn’t believe they would just shut the power off to a school,” said principal Kristin Cassie.
“They had been threatening to cut off the power for over a year now because we have continually refused to have a smart meter installed.”
Then, over the weekend, when Cassie wasn’t there, BC Hydro installed a smart meter.
“I really didn’t have a choice. But it’s a bullying tactic. I can’t believe in Canada they can force things on people not leaving you any choice.”
While residents can opt out of a smart meter but then pay exorbitant monthly fees to do so, commercial building owners cannot opt out, said Cassie.
Citizens for Safe Technology has launched a class action lawsuit against BC Hydro and the case is expected to be heard next month.
Una St. Clair is CST’s executive director and a Langley resident.
Her son once attended Roots and Wings, and she was the original force pushing the school against wireless technology.
“Initially when Una enrolled her son she told me about the dangers of wifi and I did a lot of research and educated myself on it,” said Cassie.
“I took all the wireless technology out and now everything is hardwired which is a hassle, let me tell you. But we felt it was important.”
The small school, actually located within Campbell Valley Park, is an Earth stewardship based program that has its own goats, chickens, llamas and gardens.
There are about 45 students attending the K-12 school. There is also a preschool program there too.
Cassie isn’t sure what the next steps are but she has let Citizens for Safe Technology know.