Politician tables bill to deter copper theft in Canada

Canada Copper Theft Bill targets critical infrastructure, boosting penalties by classifying metal theft as mischief; aims to protect the electricity sector, public safety, 9-1-1 access, and system reliability amid high copper prices.

Recently, Member of Parliament for Esquimalt – Juan de Fuca, Randall Garrison introduced a Private Members Bill that aims to amend the Criminal Code of Canada so it accurately reflects the severity of copper theft from critical infrastructure.

“The introduction of this bill is a positive development,” said Jim Burpee, President and CEO of the Canadian Electricity Association, or CEA. “Given the high price of copper, copper thefts are on the rise. These thefts pose a real and significant threat to the safety of Canadians and the reliability of our system.”

CEA began the national discussion on copper theft on March 3, 2014 by launching a policy paper that highlighted the consequences of copper thefts across the country and outlined four detailed recommendations for electricity infrastructure nationwide.

The recently-tabled bill seeks to define and add consideration of copper stolen from critical infrastructure, enabling the crime to be considered mischief instead of a minor theft, a regulatory reform that clarifies penalties. This change intends to ensure that guilty parties are liable for all damages related to the theft, not only the cost of copper stolen, which is currently the case.

Since 2010, media reports show that many people have suffered serious injuries from copper theft and tragically eight people have lost their lives, as PSE anti-theft efforts also illustrate in related cases. While costly to the electricity sector, approximately $40 million each and every year, copper theft is also costly to other sectors and businesses across the country.

Additionally, these thefts pose a significant threat to the reliability of Canada’s electricity system and its vital cyber systems as well, putting Canadians in vulnerable situations such as loss of access to 9-1-1, medical care, and other critical services.

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