Sarnia city council is adding its voice to a growing municipal call for stronger provincial regulations on scrap metal sales and reforms to the federal bail system. At its October 20 meeting, councillors voted to support an advocacy campaign initiated by the City of Brantford and endorsed by the Town of Petrolia. The motion, brought […]
Sarnia city council is adding its voice to a growing municipal call for stronger provincial regulations on scrap metal sales and reforms to the federal bail system.
At its October 20 meeting, councillors voted to support an advocacy campaign initiated by the City of Brantford and endorsed by the Town of Petrolia. The motion, brought forward by Councillor Chrissy McRoberts, addresses ongoing concerns about the financial and safety impacts of organized metal theft on local businesses and public infrastructure.
Brantford launched its campaign earlier this year after facing a surge in break-ins, copper wire theft, and vandalism that resulted in significant financial losses and safety risks for businesses. While Brantford enacted its own Salvage Yard Bylaw to tighten local rules, officials there say municipal efforts alone are not enough to deter organized operations that can easily move stolen materials between jurisdictions.
The Brantford bylaw, 37-2024, requires traceable payments like e-transfer or cheque for all restricted metals and bans cash sales outright. It also prohibits the sale of high-risk materials without police authorization, including:
Scrap dealers must log transaction details and submit them to police within 24 hours.
The joint resolution urges the Province of Ontario to create a consistent, province-wide scrap metal statute. It also calls on the federal government to strengthen the Criminal Code and reform the bail system to better protect communities from repeat offenders.
Copies of Sarnia's endorsement will be sent to MPP Bob Bailey, MP Marilyn Gladu, Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey, and Canada’s Minister of Justice, Sean Fraser.
