New provincial legislation targets metal thieves

Metal theft is a significant risk to public safety and critical infrastructure in Alberta. In November 2019, the Government of Alberta proclaimed the Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Identification Act. This Act was recently amended, and the Scrap Metal Dealers and Recyclers Regulation was created to provide a consistent approach to regulating the scrap metal industry across Alberta.

Under the new Act and Regulation, scrap metal dealers and recyclers must record and report transactions of scrap metal, including collecting and retaining information about the transaction and, in certain circumstances, sharing information with a law enforcement agency. The new rules are intended to help prevent the buying and selling of stolen metals. The Act and Regulation also give police services new authority to investigate breaches of the legislation and enforce compliance. Different parts of the Act will come into force on September 1 and November 1, 2020.

Justice and Solicitor General has provided a fact sheet that outlines the new legislative requirements in detail. For more information, please contact the Scrap Metal Hotline at 780.509.3123.