Metal Theft

WHEREAS the theft of copper wire costs the municipal taxpayers of British Columbia thousands of dollars each year to repair and can create a danger to public safety through the loss of electricity, lighting and communications; AND WHEREAS local governments can enact bylaws within their own jurisdiction governing the sale of scrap metal however without provincial coordination, the bylaws have a diminished effect to reduce theft: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM lobby the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to enact provincial legislation requiring scrap metal dealers to maintain a registry of sellers and the goods purchased, and require a waiting period before the metal can be altered or sold.