Bell Canada says a spike in copper theft and vandalism in the first half of 2026 has made it a growing threat to telecommunications infrastructure across the country.
The company recorded 993 incidents between January and June, an increase of 78% on the same period last year. Arrests related to the incidents also increased by 32%.
Although the resale value of stolen copper is limited, the damage done to telecommunications infrastructure can be much more costly. Cutting or removing cables can affect internet, TV and phone services and in more severe cases can cut off access to 911 and other emergency services.
The problem is also hitting construction sites where copper theft has become an increasingly common form of property crime.
Most of the increase is in Ontario and New Brunswick
Ontario remains the province with the most incidents, with 579 cases, or 58% of the national total.
Theft and vandalism connected to copper is running wild in Hamilton, Niagara and Milton.
Meanwhile, New Brunswick has seen the fastest increase. The province saw 268 incidents in the first half of 2026, a 235% increase from the same time last year, Bell said.
Quebec also saw a sharp rise, with 91 incidents, up 89 per cent year-over-year. The biggest gains were in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Lanaudière and the Laurentians.
Meanwhile, enforcement has been tougher in Quebec, with arrests up 150%.
Bell says it has also won four positive court rulings in Quebec related to copper theft, furthering the use of civil remedies to go after those responsible.
Bell beefs up network security
Bell has taken a multi-layered approach to protect its infrastructure in response to the increasing threat.
The company is installing alarms directly linked to law enforcement, increasing surveillance in vulnerable areas, working more closely with police departments and taking legal action against offenders.
Bell also encourages the public to report suspicious activity around telecommunications infrastructure to local police or Crime Stoppers.
“Copper theft should be considered a threat to critical infrastructure, not just a property crime,” said Mark McDonald, executive vice-president and chief technology officer at Bell.
Cooperation will be needed between telecommunications providers, governments, law enforcement agencies, recycling businesses and communities to stop further incidents, the company says.
Recent data indicates that material theft is increasingly widening the risks for Canada’s communications networks and the essential services that depend on them, with almost 1,000 incidents recorded in just six months.
