Man Charged for Cutting Fibre Optic Cable Linking Nova Scotia and Newfoundland

A man has been charged with deliberately severing a subsea fibre optic cable that connects Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced the arrest on Wednesday, revealing that the 33-year-old individual from Ingonish, Nova Scotia, was taken into custody last week. He faces charges of mischief causing more than $5,000 in damages. Despite the serious nature of the offense, authorities clarified that the accused did not intend to harm essential infrastructure or jeopardize national security.

The cable, which belongs to Bell Canada, was cut off the coast of Aspy Bay on December 24, 2022. According to a spokesperson from Bell Canada, the cable may have been accidentally brought to the surface and cut after being snagged by a boat’s anchor. The three-centimetre-thick cable, encased in protective wire, serves as a primary connection for internet, television, and long-distance communication between the two provinces.

Upon retrieving the cable, crews discovered that it had been cleanly sliced, indicating it had likely been cut using a specialized tool. The RCMP stated that the investigation into this incident was complex, involving collaboration with the federal Fisheries Department and the execution of a search warrant on a vessel moored at a wharf in Ingonish.

Investigation Details and Challenges

RCMP Corporal Cory Stead, the detachment supervisor in Ingonish Beach, commented on the challenges faced during the investigation. “This investigation was complex in part because of the difficulties in attending the scene of the crime,” he noted. The cooperation with fishery officers and the Bell Canada team, who repaired the damaged cable, played a crucial role in gathering information and evidence.

The subsea fibre optic cable spans approximately 130 kilometres across the Cabot Strait, linking Dingwall, Nova Scotia, to Codroy in southwestern Newfoundland. Following repairs, Bell Canada utilized remotely operated vehicles to bury the cable deep into the ocean floor, ensuring its protection against future incidents.

This incident marks the second time a fibre optic cable between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland has been deliberately cut. The implications of such actions highlight the importance of securing critical communication infrastructure, which serves as a backbone for connectivity in the region.

As the investigation continues, the RCMP remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of essential services used by residents and businesses across these provinces.