Bell Canada says copper wire theft has increased 235 per cent year-to-year in New Brunswick, with the province leading a national “surge” recorded in the first half of 2026. Bell says 268 incidents of theft and vandalism have been reported across its infrastructure in New Brunswick so far this year. Ontario and New Brunswick account for most – 85 per cent – of the increased theft reported nationally. In all, Bell says 993 incidents of copper theft and vandalism have affected its Canadian infrastructure between January and June of this year, representing a 78 per cent increase over the same period in 2025. “In the first half of 2026, Bell has seen a surge in theft and vandalism targeting telecommunications infrastructure, causing service outages that can disrupt Internet, TV and phone services -- and most importantly, can potentially compromise access to 911 and other emergency services,” says a statement from Bell. The number of arrests connected to copper wire theft across the country has also increased, by 32 per cent, according to Bell. Rural areas around Fredericton and Charlotte County continue to be the “hot spots” for copper theft activity in New Brunswick. “More recently Moncton, and the rural areas surrounding Moncton, have flared up as well,” says Dana Lohnes, Bell’s director of field operations. “We’re growing disproportionately fast when compared to the rest of the country.” “There’s a number of reasons for it. Certainly, some of the rural nature of New Brunswick leads to it. We also have some challenges with our provincial recycling act that we’re hoping to get fixed.” The New Brunswick government says the sale of scrap metal, and records about who sold it, are already a requirement in the province. Lohnes said additional amendments could include a stipulation that telecommunications wires can only be purchased from a telecommunications representative. “The good thing about telecommunications wires is that it’s very identifiable, it’s very unique, and it’s really only the telecommunications industry that uses it and would have it,” says Lohnes. “We think that once those changes take effect it will make it much more difficult for thieves to try and sell it to local recyclers.” At the federal level, amendments to Canada’s Criminal Code though Bill-C14 became law last month, ushering in tougher consequences for crimes that critical infrastructure. “We are at the very front end of people starting to go through that process,” says Lohnes. Incidents in July Saint John police are investigating the theft of copper wire from this past weekend that caused an internet outage on the city’s east side. Police believe the wire was stolen from several utility poles around 3:30 a.m. on Saturday. Earlier this month, New Brunswick RCMP arrested and charged a 38-year-old man from Seeley’s Cove, N.B., in connection to copper wire theft in the area. The RCMP says it received a report on July 14 of stolen copper from a telecommunications tower on Seeley’s Cove Road. Police say the local tower has been targeted with theft several times recently. In a statement, New Brunswick RCMP says it “is aware of recent increase in copper wire thefts across the province” but didn’t provide numbers on Wednesday. “Any suspicious activity around power poles, substations, construction sites, storage yards, or other locations where copper wire may be stored should be reported to police immediately, regardless of the time of day,” says an RCMP statement. “Police continue to work closely with utility providers, industry partners, and other agencies to address this issue and hold those responsible accountable.” CTV News is owned by Bell Media, which is a division of BCE. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
