The energy and communications sectors are asking the federal government to stiffen penalties for people who damage critical infrastructure, often interfering with hospitals, airports, banks and many other essential operations.
Companies and sector representatives have told the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications that incidents such as the theft of copper wire have skyrocketed the past few years. It’s causing major problems including systems failure, and has resulted in utilities and others imposing tighter security systems.
In many cases, a person suspected in the theft of copper wire is charged with theft under $5000 but industry wants to see much tougher penalties.
(Wires cut at the Bell Aliant substation in Clarke’s Beach earlier this year.)
Bell Canada, whose network stretches from the Saskatchewan-Manitoba border to Newfoundland and Labrador, was one of the companies appearing before the committee. Michele Austin, vice-president of public affairs with Bell, said a month ago thieves cut copper and fibre wires in Miramichi, New Brunswick which took 24 hours to repair, and cost $30,000.
“Since January, 2022, there have been over 1,650 physical network impacting security incidents across Bell’s footprint. Copper theft is responsible for 88 per cent of the physical and security incidents that impact Bell’s network. The year-over-year increase from November 2023 to November 2024 was 78 per cent,” said Austin.
