On October 16, the Canadian government announced promising progress in its national vehicle theft reduction initiative. According to officials citing data from the Canadian Insurance Bureau, vehicle theft rates dropped by 19% in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.

At a media event in Oakville, Ontario, the Chair of the Canada Border Services Agency and Minister of Transportation, Anand, shared updates on the initiative’s implementation. The data revealed that border services have intercepted over 1,900 stolen vehicles at railway stations and ports this year, surpassing the total number from last year. Notably, in the Greater Toronto Area alone, authorities have seized 620 stolen vehicles so far this year.

However, as an industry organization for Canadian property insurers, the Canadian Insurance Bureau noted earlier this month that while the number of auto theft insurance claims has decreased in the first half of this year, it remains 138% higher than it was a decade ago. The total claims amount has surged by 442%. The Bureau emphasized that the current vehicle theft rate in Canada is significantly above historical averages.

With auto thefts rising sharply in recent years, the Canadian government held a national summit on auto theft in Ottawa last February, which led to the launch of the national initiative.

Officials have highlighted key achievements since the implementation of the initiative, including amendments to the Criminal Code that provide law enforcement and prosecutors with enhanced tools to tackle vehicle theft. Changes to the Radiocommunication Act have improved regulations concerning radio devices used for vehicle theft. Additionally, the initiative has strengthened intelligence and information sharing at municipal, provincial, and federal levels, as well as internationally. Efforts also include utilizing scanning technology, data analysis, and geolocation methods to increase inspections of shipping containers, providing law enforcement with specialized training related to auto theft, establishing a national intergovernmental working group to improve coordination, and supporting the development of commercial anti-theft technologies.

Officials believe that organized crime groups are involved in exporting stolen vehicles from Canada, but the majority of thefts are perpetrated by lower-level gangs engaged in street violence. Most of the stolen vehicles exported from Canada end up in Africa and the Middle East, while some remain within Canada to facilitate other criminal activities before being disposed of.