New Bill to Reflect Severity of Copper Theft
The Canadian Electricity Association is applauding a new bill that looks to amend the Criminal Code of Canada so that the true cost of copper theft is more accurately punishable.
The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) said that it’s pleased with a Private Members Bill that looks to amend the Criminal Code of Canada so that copper theft would be considered a mischief instead of a minor theft, effectively ensuring that guilty parties are liable for all damages related to the theft, not just the cost of copper stolen.
The CEA said that the bill, introduced by MP Randall Garrison, would help accurately reflect the severity of copper theft from critical infrastructure.
“The introduction of this bill is a positive development,” said Jim Burpee, president and CEO of 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.”
The CEA, citing media reports, said that since 2010 “many people have suffered serious injuries from copper theft and tragically eight people have lost their lives.” On a yearly average, copper theft costs the electricity sector $40 million, but there is an additional cost to other sectors businesses across the country, they noted. “Additionally, these thefts pose a significant threat to the reliability of Canada’s electricity system, putting Canadians in vulnerable situations such as loss of access to 9-1-1, medical care, and other critical services,” they added.
