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Back Yard Power Lines
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March, 2007
Arvay Finlay is set to argue, what will be a very significant case for the environment, in the B.C. Court of Appeal on March 26-27, 2007. The appeal arises from a proposal by BC Transmission Corporation and BC Hydro to site high voltage power lines through the back yards of residents in Tsawwassen where local residents are concerned about the possible health risks of electromagnetic fields. Joseph Arvay is asking the B.C Court of Appeal to require that the Utilities Commission Act and other environmental legislation be interpreted in accordance with the "Precautionary Principle".
Arvay will argue that the Precautionary Principle is a principle of customary international law and should be made part of Canadian law. If successful this case could have profound implications for how regulators decide whether to permit any substance, product or initiative that creates a risk of serious or irreversible damage to the environment even though there is still scientific uncertainty as to the nature and extent of the risk.
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