Bill 7: An Act to Amend the Salvage Dealers Licensing Act

Salvage dealers (scrap yards) in New Brunswick will face the biggest day-to-day changes — they must now install and maintain digital video recording systems on their premises, post new signage about refusing suspicious transactions, keep photocopies of government-issued ID from every seller, and hold copper purchases for 48 hours before reselling or processing them. Businesses that routinely sell scrap copper wire — such as electrical contractors, telecommunications companies, and utilities — will need to obtain a Class A or Class B licence from the Minister before they can legally deliver copper wire to a scrap yard. Electricians and electrical contractors already licensed under New Brunswick's Electrical Installation and Inspection Act can apply for a Class B licence at the same time as their trade licence renewal, while utilities and telecom providers apply separately for a Class A licence. Solo operators and small salvage yards will feel the compliance burden acutely, since they'll need to upgrade their premises with recording equipment and revamp their transaction paperwork processes.