Copper Wire Theft on the Rise but Difficult to Prevent and Investigate, Senators Told

Examples of network cables that have been targeted by thieves for the copper wire, are shown on display at a news conference in Fresno, Calif., on May 2, 2012. The Canadian Press/AP/The Fresno Bee, John Walker

Federal officials say copper wire theft is on the rise in Canada, but it’s difficult to combat because the infrastructure usually lacks basic security and its identifiers can be easily erased.

Witnesses from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, the RCMP, Public Safety Canada and the Department of Justice testified Tuesday at the Senate’s transport and communications committee as some telecoms continue to sound the alarm over vandalism targeting their infrastructure.