Bell says copper theft up 30 per cent with New Brunswick a national hotspot

Bell Canada says copper theft incidents are high in New Brunswick.

Bell Canada says incidents of copper theft have increased about 30 per cent year-to-year across the country, with parts of New Brunswick remaining a hotspot for infrastructure damage.

The telecommunications company – which owns CTV News – recorded more than 1,300 incidents of stolen copper nationwide in 2025, with the bulk of thefts happening in Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick.

“For the last four to five years, Fredericton and the rural around Fredericton… Oromocto, Harvey have been really hot spots,” says Dana Lohnes, Bell’s director of field operations, noting an uptick of theft activity in parts of Charlotte County toward the end of 2025.

Lohnes says the disruptions to internet and television services ultimately impacts emergency communication systems such as 911 and radio systems for first responders.

Amendments to Canada’s Criminal Code, through Bill-C14 (which completed its second reading in the House of Commons last year), would create tougher consequences for copper theft, says Lohnes.

“It puts in places stronger deterrents, stiffer penalties, longer jail time and the ability act upon repeat offenders more quickly,” says Lohnes. “We’ve invested heavily in network monitoring, network alarming, and a variety of other deterrents, some boots on the ground deterrents.”

Last week, New Brunswick RCMP announced charges against three individuals in connection with copper wire thefts in southern New Brunswick. An RCMP news release said a search warrant at a residence led to the discovery of about 250 lbs. of copper wire, in addition to firearms and other weapons.

CTV News is a division of Bell Media, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Canada

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