Bell has reported a significant increase in incidents of copper wire thefts affecting its telecommunications infrastructure in 2026, leading to potential disruptions in phone and internet services. The company has documented 993 cases of copper theft and vandalism between January and June, marking a 78 percent rise compared to the same period in the previous year.
The majority of these thefts occurred in Ontario and New Brunswick, with these provinces accounting for approximately 85 percent of the overall increase in thefts. In Ontario, areas such as Hamilton, Niagara, and Milton experienced the highest number of thefts, while in New Brunswick, the issue escalated rapidly, witnessing a 235 percent surge in thefts since 2025.
David Joice, Bell’s director of national network operations, explained that thieves typically target copper wire from telephone and telecommunication poles, often operating at night or in rural areas with limited surveillance. The demand for copper has surged due to the increasing electrification of the world, driven by developments such as the expansion of data centers and the production of electric vehicles.
Gary Dvorkin, the owner of Peel Scrap Metal in Oakville, Ontario, highlighted the imbalance between the demand for copper and its mining rate, resulting in elevated prices for the metal. He mentioned that his business handles a growing volume of copper each month, reflecting the lucrative nature of the industry.
Despite the financial incentive for thieves, Bell emphasized that the value of the stolen metal pales in comparison to the disruptions and dangers caused by these thefts. Service outages resulting from wire thefts can jeopardize access to essential services like emergency communications, posing a significant public safety risk.
In response to the escalating thefts, Bell has implemented various preventive measures, such as enhancing alarm systems linked to law enforcement, increasing ground surveillance, and pursuing legal actions against alleged perpetrators. The company is also transitioning from copper wire to more secure fiber-optic cables to deter future thefts.
The company emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among telecommunication providers, government agencies, law enforcement, recyclers, and communities to combat copper theft effectively and safeguard critical communication networks. The rise in arrests related to copper thefts, up by 32 percent in the first half of the year, reflects ongoing enforcement initiatives and the government’s stricter penalties for infrastructure damage, including copper theft, as outlined in recent justice reform legislation.