Ottawa – Concerned by the troubling surge in copper thefts in Canada’s telecommunications and electricity industries, the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications is calling on the federal government to immediately address this threat to critical infrastructure and public safety.

The committee’s report, Stolen Signal: The Costly Consequences of Copper Theft in Canada, released April 14, 2026, describes how copper thefts cause major service outages, sometimes leaving communities without telephone, internet or wireless services for extended periods. These crimes can disrupt emergency services, hospitals and airports, and create financial burdens for businesses, municipalities and organizations.

The report recommends amending the Criminal Code to impose harsher penalties for metal theft crimes that damage critical infrastructure. It also calls on the federal government to encourage provincial and territorial governments to regulate the sale of scrap metal and promote information sharing about metal theft between law enforcement agencies.

The Senate is currently examining Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act. The bill could lead to higher sentences for people committing certain crimes that also involve interfering with the functioning of essential infrastructure. Should the bill be adopted, the fact that the offender had interfered with essential infrastructure while committing theft, robbery or mischief would be considered an aggravating circumstance for the purpose of sentencing. While the committee acknowledges that this is an important step, the federal government can do more to address copper theft.

Quick Facts

• Copper is malleable, conductive and resistant to corrosion. For these reasons, it is widely used across various industrial sectors, such as electronics, construction, transportation and telecommunications.
• In February 2026, the price of copper was approximately US$13,000 a tonne.
• The Canadian Telecommunications Association estimated a 200% increase in theft and vandalism incidents between 2022 and 2024.
• More than 1,300 incidents of copper theft have been recorded by Canadian carriers since January 2022, according to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
• Under section 334 of the Criminal Code, an offender could serve up to 10 years in prison for stealing more than $5,000 worth of copper wire, or up to two years if the total amount stolen is worth less.

Quotes

“Copper thefts are not petty crimes that only affect telecommunications and electricity companies. They are dangerous criminal acts that pose serious public safety threats to those who rely on the critical services that these companies provide.”

- Senator Larry W. Smith, Chair of the Committee

“Entire communities have been left isolated and cut off from emergency services — all because of copper thefts. The federal government must urgently act to curb this alarming problem before it gets worse.”

- Senator Donna Dasko, Deputy Chair of the Committee

Associated Links

• Read the report: Stolen Signal: The Costly Consequences of Copper Theft in Canada.
• Follow the committee on social media using the hashtag #TRCM.
• Subscribe to email alerts for Senate committees.
• Sign up for the Senate eNewsletter.

For more information:

Sabryna Lemieux
Communications Officer | Senate of Canada
343-598-3547 | Sabryna.Lemieux@sen.parl.gc.ca