Unveiling Strategies to Combat Car Theft Menace and Safeguard Communities
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, and key government officials unite to tackle the rising auto thefts. They will convene the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft in Ottawa on February 8, 2024.
Auto theft, a trans-national crime with far-reaching consequences, has reached epidemic levels, leaving victims feeling violated and criminal organizations enriched through the proceeds of this highly lucrative endeavor. The upcoming summit aims to unite leaders from pivotal jurisdictions and sectors to forge a coordinated response to this escalating issue.
How to Remain Safe in a Ride Share Vehicle or Taxi – Read More
The government actively extends its commitment to combatting auto theft beyond Canadian borders, specifically targeting the prevention of stolen vehicle shipments. Federal and provincial officials collaborate with key stakeholders, actively participating in efforts to curb auto theft. The summit, serving as a platform, will identify short, medium, and long-term actions to combat this sophisticated crime.
This strategic summit aligns with the Government of Canada’s steadfast commitment to combatting serious and organized crime, ensuring the safety of communities nationwide. As the auto theft epidemic continues to impact Canadians, the forthcoming summit signals a pivotal moment in the collective fight against this pervasive threat.
Car theft remains a critical challenge, necessitating a comprehensive approach to safeguard citizens and dismantle the criminal networks perpetrating these violations.
The summit marks a crucial step in fortifying national security and protecting the well-being of communities.
Industry Leaders Respond to the Summit
“During the last two years, participating member companies have been working tirelessly with other private and public entities to gather information, share intelligence and develop a societal strategy for reducing auto theft. Over that same period of time, we have witnessed an increased level of both car jackings and home invasions that have transitioned auto theft from being a property crime issue to a a significant public safety issue,” said David Adams, President and CEO, Global Automakers of Canada.
FAST FACTS
- Rates of vehicle theft rose by 50% in Quebec, 48.3% in Ontario, 34.5% in Atlantic Canada and 18.35% in Alberta in 2022, as compared to the previous year, according to industry estimates;
- In 2022, approximately 9,600 vehicles were stolen in the Toronto area alone. Representing a 300% increase since 2015, according to the Canadian Finance and Leasing Association (CFLA);
- Police services in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) have observed a combined 104% increase in carjackings from 2021 to 2022;
- Transnational organized criminal groups are believed to be involved in the export of stolen vehicles from Canada. However, most vehicle thefts involve lower level threat groups, with violent street gangs being the most prevalent;
- The majority of stolen vehicles exported are destined for Africa and the Middle East. Some stolen vehicles also remain in Canada enabling other crimes to be committed with the vehicles and are destroyed afterwards;
- Investigations into auto theft are led by police of jurisdiction. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and Sûreté du Québec (SQ) work together in integrated task forces to target organized crime;
- At the border, the CBSA works closely with domestic and international partners. Combined they respond to 100% of referrals from police of jurisdiction. Other intelligence sources to examine outbound containers at points of export that may contain stolen vehicles.
Article by AutomotiveWoman.com Editor, Juliana Chiovitti, aka @AutomotiveWoman online
Fast Facts Shared by: The Government of Canada
IMAGES: AutomotiveWoman
Subscribe to our channel: www.youtube.com/@AutomotiveWoman
Join the AutomotiveWoman community lifestyle newsletter: [email protected]
