Copper theft is spiking across Canada, knocking out internet, TV, and phone service for thousands while cutting off access to 911 emergency services, according to Bell yet again.
Bell said on Wednesday it logged 993 incidents of copper theft and vandalism in the first half of 2026, which is a 78 per cent increase compared to last year. While national arrests are up 32 per cent, thieves continue to cause massive damage for minimal scrap cash, leaving behind costly repair bills and isolated communities.
To help track the issue, Bell has launched a dedicated website detailing local network outages caused by these cuts.
Ontario and New Brunswick account for 85 per cent of the national increase. Ontario leads in sheer volume with 579 cases, concentrated mostly in Hamilton, Niagara, and Milton. New Brunswick saw the fastest jump, with 268 incidents representing a 235 per cent increase.
Quebec recorded 91 cases, up 89 per cent. Police arrests in Quebec jumped 150 per cent, and Bell recently won four civil court cases forcing thieves to pay for the physical damage. Bell is headquartered in Montreal.
Looking at the chart below of copper theft incidents, if the current pace keeps up, 2026 will likely surpass numbers from last year:
“Copper theft is a criminal act that targets critical infrastructure and leads to service outages that can endanger public safety, particularly by disrupting access to emergency services,” said Mark McDonald, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Bel, in a statement to iPhone in Canada. “No single organization can stop copper theft alone.”
To curb losses, Bell is installing silent alarms on lines, deploying security patrols, and working with metal recyclers to spot stolen wire.
Bell’s not the only one dealing with copper theft, as rivals Telus and Rogers also deal with thefts as well. But Bell has been the most outspoken about copper thefts and how both provincial and federal governments aren’t doing enough to punish thieves. Last year, the feds introduced a new bill saying it would increase penalties for crimes affecting telecom infrastructure, but it seems that’s not enough.
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