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Theft

Copper Theft Crisis Hits Eastern Canada: Bell Sounds the Alarm

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A sharp rise in copper thefts across Eastern Canada has left authorities and communities reeling, with over 2,270 incidents reported since 2022 and over 500 cases this year alone. Ontario, New Brunswick, and Quebec are the hardest hit, with the Fredericton-Oromocto corridor in New Brunswick and the Saguenay region in Quebec emerging as hotspots. Copper thefts have increased 23% year-over-year, with 63% of all incidents occurring in Ontario, 12% in Quebec, and the remaining 25% scattered across other provinces.

Key Takeaways:

  • Copper thefts have increased by 23% year-over-year, with over 500 cases reported in the first half of 2025 alone.
  • Since 2022, Bell has recorded more than 2,270 copper thefts nationwide, accounting for 88% of all physical security incidents on Bell's network.
  • Ontario is the hardest-hit province, representing 63% of all incidents, with hotspots including Hamilton, Cambridge, and Windsor.
  • New Brunswick has emerged as one of the nation's hotspots for copper thefts, with over 80 incidents this year alone, and 75-80% of incidents in the Fredericton and Oromocto region.
  • Quebec has the second-highest number of copper thefts, with most incidents concentrated in the Saguenay region.
  • Repeated incidents have occurred in communities such as Stanley, Hoyt, Fredericton Junction, and Keswick Ridge in New Brunswick.
  • The perpetrators often damage other infrastructure such as fibre cable, putting lives at risk when people can't call 911 as a result of the damage.
  • Bell is taking decisive action to combat copper theft, including installing alarms, deploying additional security guards and surveillance cameras, and working closely with law enforcement.
  • Bell is encouraging the public to report suspicious activity near telecom infrastructure, such as unmarked vehicles, individuals tampering with utility poles, or the sound of cutting or grinding metal.

Statistics:

  • Over 2,270 copper thefts have been reported since 2022, representing a 23% year-over-year increase.
  • 88% of all physical security incidents on Bell's network are related to copper theft.
  • 63% of all copper theft incidents occur in Ontario.
  • Over 500 copper theft cases were reported in the first half of 2025 alone.
  • 75-80% of incidents in New Brunswick occur in the Fredericton and Oromocto region.
  • 60% of Bell's network footprint is covered by an all-fibre network.

Sources:

  • "Copper theft is a serious crime that directly threatens the safety and well-being of Canadians." - Mark McDonald, EVP and Chief Technology Officer at Bell Canada (Source: Bell Canada)
  • Bell Canada is Canada's largest communications company, providing advanced broadband Internet, wireless, TV, media, and business communication services (Source: Bell Canada)
  • Bell is investing to create a better today and a better tomorrow by supporting the social and economic prosperity of our communities (Source: Bell Canada)

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