Government of Canada funding through the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, for research into the link between radiofrequency fields and potential health effects

Petition: 495

Issue(s): Compliance and enforcement; Governance; Human/environmental health; Science and technology

Petitioner(s): A Canadian resident

Petitioner location(s): Richmond Hill, Ontario

Date received: 4 December 2023

Status: Completed—Response(s) to petition received

Summary: This petition draws on the Minister of Health’s 2016 response to the Standing Committee on Health’s report on radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation and refers to recommendation 11, which relates to funding research on the link between radiofrequency fields and potential health effects such as cancer, genetic damage, infertility, impairment to development and behaviour, harmful effects to eyes and on the brain, cardiovascular, biological and biochemical effects.

 The petition seeks details from Health Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research concerning completed, ongoing, and potential future research projects related to potential health effects from exposure to radiofrequency radiation, including information on the MOBI-Kids study, which received funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The petition also inquires about the funding requests and the funding granted for these projects and requests Health Canada’s screening criteria for research publications on the subject matter.

 The petition seeks clarification on whether Statistics Canada’s Canadian Cancer Registry collects data on exposure to possible carcinogens, including wireless radiation, and on the methods of encouragement for Canadian doctors to provide input on wireless radiation.

Federal departments/organizations responsible for reply: Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Health Canada; Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada; Statistics Canada