The Provincial Government is taking steps to address scrap metal and catalytic converter theft in Alberta.
They are proposing changes to the Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act, which would enhance sales reporting requirements for businesses, and allow officers to issue tickets rather than issue a court summons wherever appropriate, which the provincial government says would streamline the administration of justice for some minor offences.
According to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, Mike Ellis, theft of copper wire and catalytic converters has been an issue plaguing Alberta, which can disrupt essential services.
"And the proposed amendments to this Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act will address this problem by ensuring that officers have the information needed to identify suspicious activity, trace stolen property, such as catalytic converters and copper wire," explained Minister Ellis in a media conference.
Minister Ellis added that these amendments will fill in the gaps and loopholes found in the Act, which have been exploited by criminals.
Currently, business-to-business scrap metal sales are exempt from reporting requirements, but the changes the provincial government are proposing will now require businesses to report business-to-business scrap metal transactions, which they hope will keep illicit scrap metal from entering the market.
On top of that, these proposed changes will require the dollar value of the sale, the type of metal being sold, and the per-ounce price of the metal purchased to be reported, and if someone is selling a catalytic converter, the seller needs to provide the vehicle identification number and/or proof of ownership, which will be recorded and reported to a law enforcement database.
These amendments will also help law enforcement to get through barriers and allow for timely and consistent enforcement.
Between 2021 and 2024, copper wire theft in Alberta increased by 93 per cent.
To watch the full news conference and learn more, click here.
