"The placement of new cell towers is often a divisive issue in communities across Canada," Industry Minister James Moore said in a statement. "It is essential that residents be at the center of the process to determine the location of a new tower, and it is up to the wireless industry to ensure that local voices are heard."

All towers will now require such consultation, the government said.

Existing rules only require community consultation for towers more than 15 meters high.

(Reporting by Randall Palmer, writing by Alastair Sharp; Editing by Peter Galloway)