US EditionOntario copper thefts growing at ‘alarming’ rate; local hot spots emerge in Canada-wide problem
ONTARIO, CANADA, JUL 15 – Copper thefts now represent 88% of Bell's physical security incidents, with 63% occurring in Ontario and over 2,270 cases nationwide since 2022, officials said.
- Ontario leads Canada with 63% of copper theft incidents in 2025, while New Brunswick has emerged as a hotspot with over 80 cases this year.
- Rising copper prices above $5.60 a pound and growing demand drive criminals to target copper, prompting lawmakers like Denver's Flor Alvidrez to propose stricter regulations on scrap dealers.
- Bell Canada reported over 2,270 thefts since 2022 and urges governments to enhance protections by increasing penalties and revising the Criminal Code to combat the threat.
- In a recent Texas incident, police discovered numerous pieces of severed copper wire and various break-in implements arranged throughout a building, while in New Brunswick, widespread copper thefts threaten emergency communications, underscoring the far-reaching consequences of this criminal activity.
- The trend suggests continued challenges in preventing copper theft, leading to ongoing calls for enhanced security measures, public vigilance, and policy reforms across affected regions.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?
8 Articles
8 Articles
New Brunswick emerges as a growing hotspot for copper theft - Electrical Business
July 15, 2025 – New Brunswick has emerged as one of Canada’s copper theft hotspots, according to Bell, with more than 80 incidents this year alone. “Copper theft is a serious crime that directly threatens the safety and well-being of Canadians,” said Bell Canada’s Mark McDonald. “These thefts are not just about stolen copper; the perpetrators often damage other infrastructure—such as fiber cable—and the crime can potentially put lives at risk wh…
The Hamilton Spectator+4 Reposted by 4 other sources
Ontario copper thefts growing at ‘alarming’ rate; local hot spots emerge in Canada-wide problem
Copper wire thefts have grown at an alarming rate in eastern Canada – with Ontario being the hardest hit. Here are the hot spots for copper theft in Ontario.
·Hamilton, Canada
Read Full Article
Coverage Details
Total News Sources8
Leaning Left4Leaning Right0Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
C 33%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
