In a landmark legal decision, telecommunications giant Bell has secured a significant financial judgment against a convicted copper wire thief in Chicoutimi, Quebec. The ruling, which the company describes as a first, sends a strong message about the consequences of targeting critical infrastructure.
Court Orders $24,000 in Compensation and Damages
The Quebec court judgment, delivered on November 26, 2025, stems from a theft that occurred in January 2024. The court ordered the accused, who was later convicted for the crime, to pay a total of $24,000 to Bell. This sum is broken down into $19,000 for compensatory repairs and an additional $5,000 in punitive damages.
Bell emphasized that the punitive damages were awarded based on several critical factors, including the severity of the impact on public safety, the profits the individual gained from reselling the stolen copper, and the broader threat such thefts pose to telecommunications networks and their customers. The defendant's prior criminal conviction for the theft also played a role in the court's decision to impose the punitive fine.
Widespread Service Outage for Chicoutimi Residents
The direct impact of the theft was severe for local residents. Bell reports that the copper wire theft left approximately 100 customers in the Chicoutimi area without internet service for more than 36 hours. This disruption highlights how crimes targeting physical infrastructure can have immediate and tangible effects on community connectivity and daily life.
In its statement, Bell said the court's decision underscores "the seriousness of the offence and its consequences" beyond mere property damage.
A Growing National Problem for Telecoms
This case is not an isolated incident but part of a troubling national trend. Bell revealed that in 2025 alone, it has recorded 1,275 incidents of copper theft across its network. This figure represents an approximate 40 percent increase year-over-year, signaling a rapidly escalating problem.
To combat this vulnerability and modernize its services, Bell is actively working to phase out copper infrastructure. The company's long-term strategy involves replacing 60 percent of its network with pure fibre optic cables, which are less attractive to thieves seeking valuable scrap metal.
The Chicoutimi ruling sets a notable precedent for holding individuals financially accountable for the full cost and community impact of infrastructure theft, a move Bell and other utilities hope will serve as a deterrent.
