Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser visited London Hydro on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, to promote a new federal crime bill specifically targeting copper thieves. The legislation aims to curb a surge in copper wire theft that has cost utilities and municipalities millions of dollars in damage and service disruptions.
Surge in copper theft linked to automated camera removal
According to data cited by Fraser, incidents of drivers speeding well above posted limits have surged nearly 400 percent since the removal of automated speed cameras in certain jurisdictions. While the minister focused on copper theft, he linked the broader trend of rising property crime to gaps in enforcement and penalties. The new bill proposes tougher sentences for theft of critical infrastructure materials, including copper wiring from utilities, construction sites, and railways.
“We are sending a clear message that stealing copper from our critical infrastructure will not be tolerated,” Fraser said at the London Hydro facility. “These thefts disrupt essential services, endanger public safety, and cost taxpayers millions.”
Impact on London and beyond
London Hydro has been hit hard by copper theft, with thieves targeting substations and streetlight wiring. The utility reported over 50 incidents in the past year, leading to power outages and repair costs exceeding $2 million. The new bill would make copper theft a specific criminal offense with minimum sentences for repeat offenders.
Fraser noted that the legislation also includes provisions to crack down on scrap metal dealers who knowingly purchase stolen copper. “We are closing the loopholes that allow thieves to profit from their crimes,” he said.
Broader context of rising property crime
The announcement comes amid a broader increase in property crime across Canada. Statistics Canada data show copper theft alone has risen 35% nationally since 2023. The bill is part of a larger government effort to address public safety concerns, including recent measures on auto theft and gun crime.
Local officials welcomed the federal action. London Mayor Josh Morgan said in a statement that copper theft has been a “persistent problem” and that the new bill “provides law enforcement with the tools they need to hold offenders accountable.”
The bill is expected to be introduced in Parliament in the coming weeks and could become law by fall 2026 if passed.
