The Canadian telecommunications industry wants stiffer penalties for copper wire thieves, who they say are repeatedly causing outages that can leave thousands of customers without service when they cut the wire off telephone poles to sell for scrap metal.
The number of incidents grew by about 200 per cent annually from 2021 to 2023, according to estimates from the Canadian Telecommunications Association. It says the service interruptions can become a matter of public safety when customers can’t use their phones to call 911.
“It’s not a victimless crime,” said Eric Smith, senior vice-president of the Canadian Telecommunications Association.
Copper wire is typically used in traditional telephone and DSL internet lines, but thieves have been known to remove everything off a utility pole, including fibre-optic cables.
“It’s a bit of a life safety issue [for thieves] as well,” said Brian Lakey, vice-president of the Telus Reliability Centre of Excellence and co-chair of the Canadian Telecom Network Resiliency Working Group.
“They cut everything, so they may cut through copper, they may cut through fibre, they may cut through power lines, and if they cut through power lines, they may get electrocuted.”
A problem everywhere
Outside of the industry, it can be hard to get national numbers about copper theft. The RCMP doesn’t track this crime specifically, but according to the latest available data from Statistics Canada, metal theft (which includes copper wire, along with other things like manhole covers) grew 56 per cent between 2018 and 2022.
It’s not just a problem in Canada. Last month, a bridge in Los Angeles went completely dark after people stripped it of wiring, and copper theft has become a major source of damages and delays for Europe’s railway operators.
The growing concern around copper wire theft has coincided with a steep climb in the price of the commodity, which reached $11,000 US a ton this spring.
Copper is used in low-carbon technologies like electric cars and generators. It’s become increasingly sought-after as countries seek to lower carbon emissions, though supply hasn’t been enough to meet demand.
“For those reasons, copper has been at very high historical levels,” said Bart Melek, global head of commodity strategy with TD Securities. He said there’s recently been a decline in prices, but the commodity’s long-term outlook is strong.
Stopping theft
Perspectives vary on the best way to crack down on copper theft.
Right now, thieves in Canada can face up to 10 years in prison if the value of the material they steal or disrupt is more than $5,000.
Smith said “most people” who steal copper end up getting charged with theft under $5,000, which he doesn’t believe is enough of a deterrent.
“We’re asking for stiffer penalties,” said Smith.
Concern about copper theft has grown in recent years amid rising prices for the commodity. (Robert Short/CBC)
A proposed anti-foreign meddling bill would carry a new sabotage offence that would target copper wire thieves, though only if they’re stealing with the intention of endangering the safety and security of Canada or its allies.
There are other ideas, too. Bell has tried taking its fight against copper theft to the civil system, launching lawsuits against alleged thieves.
Some provinces, such as Alberta and B.C., have brought in their own legislation to crack down on copper theft, requiring sellers to use government ID in order to sell at scrap metal yards.
Dov Dimant, owner of Vancouver’s Capital Salvage, thinks that requirement has likely helped a bit, though it isn’t foolproof.
“Generally, thieves aren’t going to have current ID, so by insisting that everyone has ID, that eliminates a lot of people that can’t get their act in order,” said Dimant.
He’s less sure if ramping up penalties will make much of a difference. Dimant said the reason people risk their safety to rip out copper wire is that they’re desperate, and he thinks they either wouldn’t care about the risk of greater punishment or would simply move on to stealing something else.
“Attacking the theft issue of metal is kind of a Band-Aid solution to a larger problem,” said Dimant.
“The deeper problems, in my opinion, are drug addiction and mental health … so until we start combatting the roots of the problem, people are going to be stealing it.”
TORONTO – Magna International Inc. says it has launched a targeted review of its historical records in response to sexual assault charges against founder Frank Stronach.
Magna spokeswoman Tracy Fuerst says the review process is complicated because of the passage of time.
Fuerst says that if relevant information is found, the company, which is not facing any criminal or civil allegations, will follow a strict protocol to respect the legal rights of all and co-operate with authorities.
To date, the auto parts company’s internal document review has discovered one settlement involving a historical harassment allegation against Stronach and Magna Entertainment Corp. that had already been reported.
Stronach gave up control of Magna in 2010 and stepped down as chairman in 2012.
He faces charges including rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, forcible confinement and sexual assault in connection with alleged incidents that date as far back as 1977. Stronach has said he is not guilty and that he will fight the charges.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 3, 2024.
CALGARY – Enbridge Inc. says it will spend about US$700 million to build new crude oil and natural gas pipelines in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico for the Kaskida development, operated by BP Exploration & Production Co.
The crude oil pipeline, named the Canyon Oil Pipeline System, will have a capacity of 200,000 barrels per day and originate in the Keathley Canyon area of the gulf.
It will deliver crude to the existing Green Canyon 19 platform, operated by Shell Pipeline Co. LP for ultimate delivery to the Louisiana market.
The natural gas pipeline, named the Canyon Gathering System, will have a capacity of 125 million cubic feet per day.
It will connect to Enbridge’s existing Magnolia Gas Gathering Pipeline.
The company says detailed design and procurement activities are expected to start early next year with the pipelines expected to be operational by 2029.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 3, 2024.
CALGARY – TC Energy Corp. has completed its spinoff of South Bow Corp., its crude oil pipelines business, as an independent company.
The new company, which will be headquartered in Calgary with an office in Houston, will be led by Bevin Wirzba, formerly the executive vice-president for TC Energy’s natural gas and liquids pipelines business.
South Bow will run TC Energy’s crude oil pipelines business, including the critical Keystone pipeline system.
The move is the result of a strategic review in which the Calgary-based TC considered its options including the potential sale of the oil pipelines business.
Spinning off the oil pipelines business, which has long-term committed contracts with oil shippers, will give South Bow the chance to use its robust cash flows to pay down debt and enhance shareholder returns, while TC Energy will become a growth-oriented company focused on natural gas.
TC Energy — which has natural gas transportation infrastructure in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico — is bullish on the future of the commodity, in particular the potential for growth spurred by demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG).
TC Energy also has plans to look at new, low-carbon energy opportunities such as nuclear and pumped hydro energy storage.
The company has been under scrutiny by analysts and credit ratings for its significant debt load as well as for cost overruns on the Coastal GasLink pipeline project, which was completed in the fall of 2023.
TC Energy shareholders voted in favour of the spinoff of the crude pipelines business in a vote in June.
South Bow common shares were distributed Tuesday to TC Energy shareholders of record on Sept. 25. Shareholders received one South Bow common share for every five TC Energy common shares owned.
South Bow’s common shares are expected to start trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange on Wednesday under the ticker symbol SOBO. Trading on the New York Stock Exchange is expected to start on or about Oct. 8.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2024.
