Equipment theft is still a daily headache for jobsite operators across Ontario, from Toronto to Ottawa. Ontario Construction News reports that criminals are stealing raw materials, machinery, and tools from the $160-plus billion Canadian construction industry, then reselling items like copper, industrial tools, and excavators quickly, including outside the country.
For mason contractors, that threat shows up in familiar places: copper flashing and other metals, saws, mixers, scaffolding components, and pallets of material staged in open laydown areas. When a site relies on temporary fencing and a drive-by security guard, organized theft rings see an easy target.
The article points to a shift in thinking about security. Instead of focusing only on the gate, site leaders are looking at the full perimeter and the interior for weak points. That includes intruder sensors, more durable and flexible camera coverage, and access control that gives management visibility across the jobsite from a central control point.
Another theme is predictability. When criminals learn the rhythm of deliveries, work zones, and downtime, they plan around it. The article recommends locking up valuables in secure areas, moving machinery off-site as soon as it is no longer required, and randomizing after-hours security checks. It also cites roving automated ground and air drones as a way to keep coverage running 24/7.
Ontario Construction News also stresses communication. Contractors and suppliers do not always share a clear understanding of who owns site security. The article recommends using emails, information boards, and a simple “call this number” reporting line so workers flag suspicious vehicles, trespass, or people asking questions about future material movements. It also notes legal risk, including theft over $5,000 under Section 334(a) with a 10-year maximum penalty, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act, amended in March 2025.
Read the full, original article from Ontario Construction News here.