Issue 6
July 2022 Note (October 28, 2022): A list of the census subdivisions subject to the official language consultation requirements of section 4.4 of this CPC has been published on ISED’s website. Expand all content / collapse all content PDF
Client Procedures Circular CPC-2-0-03 , Radiocommunication and Broadcasting Antenna Systems , issue 6, replaces CPC-2-0-03 , issue 5, dated June 26, 2014 .
The following are the main changes:
Comments and suggestions may be directed to the following address:
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
Spectrum Management Operations Branch
235 Queen Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0H5
Attention: Spectrum Management Operations
All spectrum-related documents referred to in this paper are available on ISED’s Spectrum Management and Telecommunications website.
Radiocommunication and broadcasting services are important for all Canadians and are used daily by the public, safety and security organizations, government, wireless service providers, broadcasters, utilities and businesses. In order for radiocommunication and broadcasting services to work, antenna systems including masts, towers, and other supporting structures are required. Antenna systems are normally composed of an antenna and some type of supporting structure, often called an antenna tower. Most antennas have their own integral mast so that they can be fastened directly to a building or a tower. There is a certain measure of flexibility in the placement of antenna systems, which is constrained to some degree by the need to achieve acceptable coverage for the service area, the availability of sites, technical limitations, and safety. In exercising its mandate, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) believes that it is important that antenna systems be deployed in a manner that considers the local surroundings.
Section 5 of the Radiocommunication Act states that the Minister may, taking into account all matters the Minister considers relevant for ensuring the orderly development and efficient operation of radiocommunication in Canada, issue radio authorizations and approve each site on which radio apparatus, including antenna systems, may be located. Further, the Minister may approve the erection of all masts, towers and other antenna-supporting structures. Accordingly, proponents must follow the process outlined in this document when installing or modifying an antenna system. Also, the installation of an antenna system or the operation of a currently existing antenna system that is not in accordance with this process may result in its alteration or removal and other sanctions against the operator in accordance with the Radiocommunication Act.
The requirements of this document apply to anyone who is planning to install or modify an antenna system, regardless of the type (referred to in this document as the “proponent”). This includes telecommunications carriers, businesses, governments, Crown agencies, operators of broadcasting undertakings and the public (including for amateur radio operation and over-the-air TV reception).
Anyone who proposes, uses or owns an antenna system must follow these procedures. The requirements also apply to those who install towers or antenna systems on behalf of others or for leasing purposes (“third party tower owners”). As well, parts of this process contain ongoing obligations that apply to existing antenna system owners and operators.
For the purposes of this document:
This document outlines the process that must be followed by proponents seeking to install or modify antenna systems. The broad elements of the process are as follows:
It is ISED’s expectation that steps 2 to 4 will normally be completed within 120 days. Some proposals may be excluded from certain elements of the process (see section 6). It is ISED’s expectation that all parties will carry out their roles and responsibilities in good faith and in a manner that respects the spirit of this document. If the requirements of this document are satisfied and the proposal proceeds, then, under step 5, construction of the antenna system must be completed within three years of conclusion of consultation.
There are a number of points in the processes outlined in this document where parties must contact ISED to proceed. Further, anyone with questions regarding the process may contact the local ISED office for guidance (refer to Radiocommunication Information Circular RIC-66, Addresses and Telephone Numbers of District Offices ). Based on a query by an interested party, ISED may request parties to provide relevant records and/or may provide direction to one or more parties to undertake certain actions to help move the process forward.
This section outlines the roles of proponents and owners/operators of existing antenna systems. In all cases, parties should retain records (such as analyses, correspondence and engineering reports) relating to this section. See also Client Procedures Circular CPC-2-0-17 , Conditions of Licence for Mandatory Roaming and Antenna Tower and Site Sharing and to Prohibit Exclusive Site Arrangements .
Before building a new antenna-supporting structure, ISED requires that proponents first explore the following options:
A proponent is not normally expected to build a new antenna-supporting structure where it is feasible to locate an antenna on an existing structure, unless a new structure is preferred by the land-use authority.
Owners and operators of existing antenna systems are to respond to a request to share in a timely fashion and to negotiate in good faith to facilitate sharing where feasible. It is anticipated that 30 days is reasonable time for existing antenna system owners/operators to reply to a request by a proponent in writing with one of the following:
Proponents must always contact the applicable land-use authorities to determine the local consultation requirements and to discuss local preferences regarding antenna system siting and/or design, unless their proposal falls within the exclusion criteria outlined in section 6. If the land-use authority has designated an official to deal with antenna systems, then proponents are to engage the authority through that person. If not, proponents must submit their plans directly to the council, elected local official or executive. The 120-day consultation period commences only once proponents have formally submitted, in writing, all plans required by the land-use authority, and does not include preliminary discussions with land-use authority representatives.
Proponents should note that there may be more than one land-use authority with an interest in the proposal. Where no established agreement exists between such land-use authorities, proponents must, as a minimum, contact the land-use authority(ies) and/or neighbouring land-use authorities located within a radius of three times the tower height, measured from the tower base or the outside perimeter of the supporting structure, whichever is greater. As well, in cases where proponents are aware that a potential Aboriginal or treaty right or land claim may be affected by the proposed installation, they must contact ISED in order to ensure that the requirements for consultation are met. Proponents are encouraged to refer to local community and online resources (for example, the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights Information System (ATRIS)) as applicable.
Proponents must follow the land-use consultation process for the siting of antenna systems, established by the land-use authority, where one exists. In the event that a land-use authority’s existing process has no public consultation requirement, proponents must then fulfill the public consultation requirements contained in ISED’s default public consultation process (see section 4.2). Proponents are not required to follow this requirement if the land-use authority’s established process explicitly excludes their type of proposal from consultation or it is excluded by ISED’s criteria. In all cases, telecommunications carriers, broadcasting undertakings and third party tower owners must notify and consult with the local public when proposing a new antenna tower, either by following ISED’s default public consultation process or, where one exists, the land-use authority’s public consultation process. Where proponents believe the local consultation requirements are unreasonable, they may contact the local ISED office in writing for guidance.
Applicants for broadcasting undertakings are subject to Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications (CRTC) licensing processes in addition to ISED requirements. Although ISED encourages applicants to consult as early as practical in the application process, in some cases it may not be prudent for applicants to initiate public and municipal/land-use consultation before receiving CRTC approval, as application denial by the CRTC would have resulted in unnecessary work for all parties involved. Therefore, assuming that the proposal is not otherwise excluded, broadcasting applicants may opt to commence land-use consultation after having received CRTC approval. However, broadcasting applicants choosing this approach are required, at the time of the CRTC application, to notify the land-use authority with a Letter of Intent outlining a commitment to conduct consultation after receiving CRTC approval. If the land-use authority raises concerns with the proposal as described in the Letter of Intent, applicants are encouraged to engage in discussions with the land-use authority regarding their concerns and attempt to resolve any issues. Refer to Broadcasting Procedures and Rules, Part 1 (BPR-1), for further details.
ISED believes that any concerns or suggestions expressed by land-use authorities are important elements to be considered by proponents regarding proposals to install, or make changes to, antenna systems. As part of their community planning processes, land-use authorities should facilitate the implementation of local radiocommunication services by establishing consultation processes for the siting of antenna systems. Municipalities may also wish to refer to the Antenna System Siting Protocol Template developed in partnership between the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA).
Unless the proposal meets the exclusion criteria outlined in section 6, proponents must consult with the local land-use authority(ies) on any proposed antenna system prior to any construction. The aim of this consultation is to:
Land-use authorities are encouraged to establish reasonable, relevant, and predictable consultation processes specific to antenna systems that consider such things as:
ISED is available to assist land-use authorities in the development of local processes. In addition, land-use authorities may wish to consult ISED’s guide for the development of local consultation processes.
Where they have specific concerns regarding a proposed antenna system, land-use authorities are expected to discuss reasonable alternatives and/or mitigation measures with proponents.
Under their processes, land-use authorities may exclude from consultation any antenna system installation in addition to those identified by ISED’s own consultation exclusion criteria (section 6). For example, an authority may wish to exclude from consultation those installations located within industrial areas removed from residential areas, low visual impact installations, or certain types of structures located within residential areas such as personal antenna systems (e.g. used for over the air and satellite television reception or amateur radio operation).
Proponents must follow ISED’s default public consultation process where the local land-use authority does not have an established and documented public consultation process applicable to antenna siting. ISED’s default process has three steps whereby the proponent:
In areas without a local newspaper, other effective means of public notification must be implemented. Proponents may contact the local ISED office for guidance.
Proponents are to address all reasonable and relevant concerns, make all reasonable efforts to resolve them in a mutually acceptable manner and must keep a record of all associated communications. If the local public or land-use authority raises a question, comment or concern relating to the antenna system as a result of the public notification process, then the proponent is required to:
Responding to reasonable and relevant concerns may include contacting a party by telephone, engaging in a community meeting or having an informal, personal discussion. Between steps 1 and 2 above, the proponent is expected to engage the public in a manner it deems most appropriate. Therefore, the letter at step 2 above may be a record of how the proponent and the other party addressed the concern at hand.
As indicated in step 3 above, the proponent must clearly indicate that the party has 21 days from the date of the correspondence to reply to the response. The proponent must also keep a record of all correspondence/discussions that occurred within the 21-day public reply comment period. This includes records of any agreements that may have been reached and/or any concerns that remain outstanding.
The factors that will determine whether a concern is reasonable or relevant according to this process will vary but will generally be considered if they relate to the requirements of this document and to the particular amenities or important characteristics of the area surrounding the proposed antenna system.
Examples of concerns that proponents are to address may include:
Concerns that are not relevant include:
The proponent may only commence installation/modification of an antenna system after the consultation process has been completed by the land-use authority, or ISED confirms concurrence with the consultation portion of this process, and after all other requirements under this process have been met. Consultation responsibilities will normally be considered complete when the proponent has:
ISED expects that land-use consultation will be completed within 120 days from the proponent’s initial formal contact with the local land-use authority. Where unavoidable delays may be encountered, the land-use authority is expected to indicate when the proponent can expect a response to the proposal. If the authority is not responsive, the proponent may contact ISED. Depending on individual circumstances, ISED may support additional time or consider the land-use authority consultation process concluded.
Depending on the land-use authority’s own process, conclusion of local consultation may include such steps as obtaining final concurrence for the proposal via the relevant committee, a letter or report acknowledging that the relevant municipal process or other requirements have been satisfied, or other valid indication, such as the minutes of a town council meeting indicating land-use authority approval. Compliance with informal city staff procedures, or grants of approval strictly related to zoning, construction, etc., will not normally be sufficient.
ISED recognizes that approvals for construction (e.g. building permits) are used by some land-use authorities as evidence of consultation being concluded. Proponents should note that ISED does not consider the fact a permit was issued as confirmation of concurrence, as different land-use authorities have different approaches. As such, ISED will only consider such approvals as valid when the proponent can demonstrate that the land-use authority’s process was followed and that the land-use authority’s preferred method of concluding land-use authority consultation is through such an approval.
ISED’s default public consultation process will be considered concluded when the proponent has either:
In the case where the public responds within the 21-day reply comment period, the proponent has the option of making further attempts to address the concern on its own, or can request ISED engagement. If a request for engagement is made at this stage, ISED will review the relevant material, request any further information it deems pertinent from any party, and may then decide that:
The following requirements will apply to all proponents for all public consultation processes commenced on or after August 1, 2023:
For the purposes of determining the date a public consultation is commenced and the applicability of this section, a public consultation is commenced as soon as the proponent makes any initial consultation with the public, such as through sending a notification package, posting signs or publishing an announcement in local media.
Prior to August 1, 2023, proponents must follow the official language requirements set out by a land-use authority when consulting with the general public using the land-use authority’s process; when using ISED’s default consultation process, proponents should contact the land-use authority to determine the best manner of notifying the public to ensure their engagement.
Whether the proponent followed a land-use authority’s consultation process or ISED’s default public consultation process, construction of an antenna system must be completed within three years of the conclusion of consultation. After three years, consultations will no longer be deemed valid except in the case where a proponent secures the agreement of the relevant land-use authority to an extension for a specified time period in writing. A copy of the agreement must be provided to the local ISED office.
The dispute resolution process is a formal process intended to bring about the timely resolution where the parties have reached an impasse.
Upon receipt of a written request from a stakeholder other than the general public asking for ISED intervention concerning a reasonable and relevant concern, ISED may request that all involved parties provide and share all relevant information. ISED may also gather or obtain other relevant information and request that parties provide any further submissions if applicable. ISED will, based on the information provided, either:
Upon resolution of the issue under dispute, the proponent is to continue with the process contained within this document as required.
All proponents must satisfy the general requirements outlined in section 7 regardless of whether an exclusion applies to their proposal. All proponents must also consult the land-use authority and the public unless a proposal is specifically excluded. Individual circumstances vary with each antenna system installation and modification, and the exclusion criteria below should be applied in consideration of local circumstances. Consequently, it may be prudent for the proponent to consult even though the proposal meets an exclusion noted below.
Therefore, when applying the criteria for exclusion, proponents should consider such things as:
The following proposals are excluded from land-use authority and public consultation requirements:
No consultation is required prior to performing maintenance on an existing antenna system.
Proponents who are not certain if their proposals are excluded, or whether consultation may still be prudent, are advised to contact the land-use authority and/or ISED for guidance.
Height is measured from the lowest ground level at the base, including the foundation, to the tallest point of the antenna system. Depending on the particular installation, the tallest point may be an antenna, lightning rod, aviation obstruction lighting or some other appurtenance. Any attempt to artificially reduce the height (addition of soil, aggregate, etc.) will not be included in the calculation or measurement of the height of the antenna system.
In addition to roles and responsibilities for site sharing, land-use consultation and public consultation, proponents must also fulfill other important obligations including the following:
Health Canada has established safety guidelines for exposure to radio frequency fields in its Safety Code 6, Limits of Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Energy in the Frequency Range from 3 kHz to 300 GHz . While the responsibility for developing Safety Code 6 rests with Health Canada, ISED has adopted this guideline for the purpose of protecting the general public. Current biomedical studies in Canada and other countries indicate that there is no scientific or medical evidence that a person will experience adverse health effects from exposure to radio frequency fields, provided that the installation complies with Safety Code 6.
It is the responsibility of proponents and operators of installations to ensure that all radiocommunication and broadcasting installations comply with Safety Code 6 at all times, including the consideration of combined effects of nearby installations within the local radio environment.
Telecommunications common carriers and operators of broadcasting undertakings are to carry out an exposure evaluation on all new installations and following any increases in radiated power. Either measurement surveys or mathematical or numerical computations can be used for this evaluation. Where the radio frequency emission of any installation, whether telecommunications carrier or broadcasting operator, is greater than, or is equal to, 50% of the Safety Code 6 limits for uncontrolled environments at locations accessible to the general public (i.e. not solely available for access by workers), the operator(s) of radio frequency emitters must notify ISED and demonstrate compliance with Safety Code 6. This determination of 50% of Safety Code 6 must be in consideration of the local radio environment.
For all proponents following ISED’s default public consultation process, the proponent’s notification package must provide a written attestation that there will be compliance with Safety Code 6 for the protection of the general public, including consideration of nearby radiocommunication systems. The notification package must also indicate any Safety Code 6 related signage and access control mechanisms that may be used.
Compliance with Safety Code 6 is an ongoing obligation. At any time, antenna system operators may be required, as directed by ISED, to demonstrate compliance with Safety Code 6 by (i) providing detailed calculations, and/or (ii) conducting site surveys and, where necessary, by implementing corrective measures (see CPC-2-0-20 , Radio Frequency (RF) Fields – Signs and Access Control ). At the request of ISED, telecommunications carriers and operators of broadcasting undertakings must provide detailed compliance information for individual installations within 5 days of the request. Proponents and operators of existing antenna systems must retain copies of all information related to Safety Code 6 compliance, such as analyses and measurements.
All radiocommunication and broadcasting proponents and existing spectrum users are to ensure that their installations are designed and operated in accordance with ISED’s immunity criteria as outlined in EMCAB-2, Criteria for Resolution of Immunity Complaints Involving Fundamental Emissions of Radiocommunications Transmitters , in order to minimize the malfunctioning of electronic equipment in the local surroundings. Broadcasting proponents and existing undertakings should refer to Broadcasting Procedures and Rules: Part 1 (BPR-1), General Rules , for additional information and requirements on this matter.
Proponents are advised to consider the potential effect that their proposal may have on nearby electronic equipment. In this way, they will be better prepared to respond to any questions that may arise during the public and land-use consultation processes, or after the system has been installed.
Land-use authorities should be prepared to advise proponents and owners of broadcasting undertakings of plans for the expansion or development of nearby residential and/or industrial areas. Such expansion or development generally results in the introduction of more electronic equipment in the area and therefore an increased potential for electronic equipment to malfunction. By keeping broadcasters aware of planned developments and changes to adjacent land-use, they will be better able to work with the community. Equally, land-use authorities have a responsibility to ensure that those moving into these areas, whether prospective residents or industry, are aware of the potential for their electronic equipment to malfunction when located in proximity to an existing broadcasting installation. For example, the land-use authority could ensure that clear notification be provided to future prospective purchasers.
Where the proposal would result in a structure that exceeds 30 metres above ground level, the proponent is to notify operators of AM, FM and TV undertakings within 2 kilometres, due to the potential impact the physical structure may have on these broadcasting undertakings. Metallic structures close to an AM directional antenna array may change the antenna pattern of the AM broadcasting undertaking. These proposed structures can also reflect nearby FM and TV signals, causing “ghosting” interference to FM/TV receivers used by the general public.
ISED requires that the installation and modification of antenna systems be done in a manner that complies with appropriate environmental legislation. This includes the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), where the antenna system is incidental to a physical activity or project designated under the IAA, or is located on federal lands.
An antenna system may not proceed where it is incidental to a designated project (as described in the Physical Activities Regulations ), or is otherwise expressly designated by the Minister of the Environment without satisfying certain requirements applicable to designated projects. Therefore, a proponent of this type of project must contact ISED for direction on how to proceed.
Any proposed antenna system on federal land may not proceed without a determination of “significant adverse environmental effects” by ISED. In order to assist ISED in making such a determination, proponents must submit a project description to ISED, considering and addressing those elements of the environment described in the IAA, as well as any determination of environmental effects that may have been made by the authority responsible for managing the federal land. ISED may also require further information before it can complete its assessment. ISED will inform the proponent of the results of its determination and may impose conditions related to mitigating any adverse effects after making its determination and/or may need to refer the matter to the Governor in Council under the IAA.
In addition, notices under ISED’s default public consultation process require written confirmation of the project’s status under the IAA (e.g. whether it is incidental to a designated project or, if not, whether it is on federal lands).
In addition to IAA requirements, proponents are responsible for ensuring that antenna systems are installed and operated in a manner that respects the local environment and that complies with other statutory requirements, such as those under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 , the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 , and the Species at Risk Act , as applicable.
For projects north of the 60 th parallel, environmental assessment requirements may arise from federal statutes other than the aforementioned Acts or from Comprehensive Land Claim Agreements. ISED requires that the installation or modification of antennas or antenna supporting structures be done in accordance with these requirements, as appropriate.
Proponents must ensure their proposals for any antenna system are first reviewed by Transport Canada and NAV CANADA.
Transport Canada will perform an assessment of the proposal with respect to the potential hazard to air navigation and will notify proponents of any painting and/or lighting requirements for the antenna system. NAV CANADA will comment on whether the proposal has an impact on the provision of their national air navigation system, facilities and other services located off-airport.
As required, the proponent must:
For those antenna systems subject to ISED’s default public consultation process, the proponent will inform the community of any marking/lighting requirements. Where options are possible, proponents are expected to work with the local community and Transport Canada to implement the best and safest marking/lighting options. Proponents should be aware that Transport Canada does not advise ISED of marking/lighting requirements for proposed structures. Proponents are reminded that the addition of, or modification to, obstruction markings may result in community concern and so any change is to be done in consultation with the local public, land-use authority and/or Transport Canada, as appropriate.
Aeronautical assessment forms are available from any Transport Canada Regional Office. Both the Aeronautical Assessment Form for Obstacle Notice and Assessment (#26-0427) and a list of Transport Canada regional offices are available on the Transport Canada website. Completed forms are to be submitted directly to the nearest Transport Canada regional office. (Refer to Canadian Aviation Regulations, Standard 621 - Obstruction Marking and Lighting).
Land-use proposal submission forms are available on the NAV CANADA website (search the keywords “land use proposal”). Completed forms are to be sent to the NAV CANADA Land Use Office. NAV CANADA will assess whether a proposal has impacts on the safe and efficient provision of air navigation services and their facilities on- or off-airports.
The proponent must ensure that at least 30 days are provided for public comment. Notification must provide all information on how to submit comments to the proponent in writing. Notices must be clearly marked, making reference to the proposed antenna system, so that it is not misinterpreted as junk mail. The notice must be sent by mail or be hand delivered. The face of the package must clearly indicate that the recipient is within the prescribed notification radius of the proposed antenna system. The proponent must also provide a copy of the notification package to the land-use authority and the local ISED office at the same time as the package is provided to the public. Notification must include, but need not be limited to:
I, ( name of individual or representative of company ) attest that the radio installation described in this notification package will be installed and operated on an ongoing basis so as to comply with Health Canada’s Safety Code 6, as may be amended from time to time, for the protection of the general public, including any combined effects of nearby installations within the local radio environment.