- Copper thefts in Canada have surged, with Bell reporting 993 incidents of copper theft and vandalism in the first half of 2026, marking a 78 per cent increase compared to last year.
- In New Brunswick, copper theft has increased by 235 per cent, with 268 incidents reported so far this year.
- Ontario leads in the total number of thefts, with 579 cases, primarily concentrated in Hamilton, Niagara, and Milton.
- Ontario and New Brunswick account for 85 per cent of the national increase in copper thefts.
- Quebec has also experienced a rise in copper thefts, with 91 cases reported, reflecting an 89 per cent increase.
- Bell has implemented measures to combat thefts, including installing live alarms connected to police stations and increasing physical surveillance.
Copper theft in Canada has reached alarming levels, with a staggering 993 incidents reported by Bell in the first half of 2026, marking a 78% increase from the previous year.1
New Brunswick has experienced the most significant surge, with a 235% rise in thefts, totaling 268 incidents.2
Ontario remains the epicenter, accounting for 579 cases, primarily in Hamilton, Niagara, and Milton.3
Quebec also reported a notable increase, with 91 cases, up 89%.5
Mark McDonald, Bell's Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, emphasized the dangers of copper theft, stating, “Copper theft is a criminal act that targets critical infrastructure and leads to service outages that can endanger public safety, particularly by disrupting access to emergency services.”
Nationwide, arrests related to copper theft have risen by 32%, with Quebec seeing a 150% increase in arrests.
Bell is implementing measures to combat this issue, including installing live alarms connected to police stations and increasing surveillance around vulnerable sites.6
Despite these efforts, the value of the stolen copper is minimal compared to the harm caused, as noted by Bell's director of national network operations, David Joice.
“No single organization can stop copper theft alone,” McDonald added, highlighting the need for collective action.
“New Brunswick has seen a staggering 235% increase in copper thefts, with 268 incidents reported in just the first month of 2026. Bell's Executive Vice President, Mark McDonald, emphasized the public safety risks, stating that these thefts disrupt critical infrastructure and emergency services.”
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