OTTAWA,
ON, May 20, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the
Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Finance, the Honourable Dominic
LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions
and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister
of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable
François-Philippe Champagne,
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, and the Honourable
Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant,
announced the release of the National Action Plan on Combatting
Auto Theft.
The Action Plan is focused on disrupting, dismantling and
prosecuting the organized crime groups involved in auto theft. It
identifies various measures and initiatives that can be implemented
by the federal, provincial and territorial governments and their
partners, in keeping with their respective roles, priorities and
responsibilities. It builds on the National Summit on Combatting
Auto Theft, convened by the Government of Canada in February, and recent enforcement
actions that have led to the seizure of hundreds of stolen
vehicles.
Auto theft is a complex problem that requires manufacturers,
insurance companies, shippers, law enforcement agencies and
governments to work together on solutions. Each partner has a to
role play. Recognizing the impact of auto theft, the Government is
moving forward with immediate actions that fall within federal
authority:
- Legislative and regulatory changes, including proposed
amendments to the Criminal Code, to institute tougher
penalties for auto theft with ties to violence, organized crime and
money laundering, new offences targeting the possession and
distribution of devices that facilitate auto theft, a new
aggravating factor applicable at sentencing where there is evidence
that an offender involved a person under the age of 18 in the
commission of an offence, as well as changes to the
Radiocommunication Act to regulate devices used to steal
cars, as committed in Budget 2024. The Government has launched a
consultation to gather information relating to the use of
wireless devices in auto theft. In addition, Transport Canada will
review and modernize the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations
related to theft prevention, to ensure they consider technological
advancements to deter and prevent auto theft.
- Intelligence/information sharing enhancements between
municipal, provincial, federal and international police and customs
officials in support of criminal investigations, charges, and
prosecutions, building on joint efforts that are already
underway. This includes Government of Canada taking a leadership role through the
establishment of a National Intergovernmental Working Group on Auto
Theft to coordinate actions, monitor progress and explore new
initiatives. Maintaining strong relationships to share
information will allow the CBSA to continue acting on 100% of
referrals from the police while also conducting searches based on
its own intelligence.
- Intervention improvements that will allow more
shipping containers to be examined, through increased capacity at
the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the integration of new
targeting tools. Increasing our capacity to target and search
shipping containers will contribute to intercepting stolen vehicles
before they leave the country.
The National Action Plan will be continuously reviewed and
updated to be responsive to this evolving criminal trend.
The Government of Canada will
continue to work with its partners to make it harder to steal cars;
make it harder to move stolen cars to a port; target and prosecute
the criminals stealing cars; and recover stolen vehicles in ports
and rail yards.
Quotes
"Our communities must be places where people feel safe—where
they want to live, work, and raise a family. We are taking action
because communities where families are safe, where entrepreneurs
want to set up shop, and where people want to invest in their
future, are key to unlocking a fairer future for Canadians."
- The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
"As was highlighted during the National Summit to Combat Auto
Theft in February, auto theft is a complex issue that requires
everybody to come to the table with solutions. The National Action
Plan we're releasing today sends a clear message – our government,
as well as our national law enforcement agencies, will use all
tools at their disposal to crack down on auto theft."
- The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister
of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental
Affairs
"Auto theft not only hits the pocketbook, it makes people feel
unsafe. We know that auto thefts are increasing, and in some areas
these crimes are becoming more violent. We are committed to
ensuring that the penalties for these crimes reflect their
severity. This is why we have advanced changes to the Criminal
Code that would provide new, stronger tools for enforcement and
prosecutors."
- The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of
Justice and Attorney General of Canada
"Cracking down on auto theft requires all hands on deck from all
levels of government, industry leaders and law enforcement. Through
this national action plan, we are going to work with partners and
use all levers at our disposal to reduce car thefts in our
communities."
- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation,
Science and Industry
"Combatting auto theft requires an all hands on deck approach.
That's exactly what we're doing with our partners. Budget 2024 and
the steps outlined in today's action plan will help protect
Canadians from auto theft."
- The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister
of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant
"Communities across Ontario,
including in Oakville, have been
disproportionately impacted by the surge in auto theft. Today, we
are taking additional concrete steps to combat it, which include:
legislative and regulatory changes, intelligence sharing, examining
shipping containers, and more. We will always prioritize the safety
and well-being of Canadians."
- The Honourable Anita Anand, President
of the Treasury Board
"Auto theft is a real concern in the community of Brampton and across Canada. We're starting to see the results of
the coordination between authorities and all levels of government,
but we know we need to double down on our efforts. Building on the
work of the National Summit, our National Action Plan on Combatting
Auto Theft takes a comprehensive approach to the issue and
implements immediate actions, such as introducing tougher
penalties, improving information sharing, and enhancing
intervention on the ground. We won't stop until organized crime
groups involved in auto theft are held accountable."
- The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister
of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities
"As Mayor of Brampton, I am
acutely aware of the profound negative impact auto theft has on our
community. The CBSA's work to deploy a scanner in the GTA, combined
with increased container examinations at the CN intermodal hub in
Brampton, marks a significant step
forward in our ongoing efforts to combat this pervasive issue. By
enhancing our ability to detect and prevent the illegal export of
stolen vehicles, we are not only protecting the property of our
residents but also disrupting the revenue streams of organized
crime. This initiative reflects our commitment to
multi-jurisdictional collaboration and the safety of our city. I
extend my gratitude to our federal partners for recognizing the
urgency of this matter and providing the necessary resources to
address it."
- His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor
of Brampton
"Extensive collaboration between partners is key to disrupting
and tackling auto theft. The RCMP continues to support its partners
by sharing intelligence and information to help locate stolen
vehicles and expedite investigations so that criminals are held to
account."
- Michael Duheme, Commissioner of the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
"Auto theft is a serious, and increasingly violent crime.
Combatting this crime and the organized crime groups that benefit
from it is a priority for the CBSA. We are working with local
law enforcement to support investigations and prosecutions of
organized crime groups. The Agency acts on 100% of referrals
received from the police and also conducts searches based on its
own intelligence. And we are seeing the results of our work.
So far in 2024, we have intercepted over 1,200 stolen vehicles in
railyards and marine ports. But there is more to do. The CBSA
will support the National Action Plan by expanding our
collaboration with local law enforcement and increasing our
capacity to target and search shipping containers to continue
intercepting stolen vehicles before they leave the
country."
- Erin O'Gorman, President of the
Canada Border Services Agency
Quick Facts
- The Government of Canada has
been engaging with industry and other stakeholders on auto theft,
including port authorities, rail and shipping companies, as well as
the automotive and insurance industries, as part of our collective
effort to combat this crime.
- Investigations into auto theft are led by local police. The
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Ontario Provincial Police,
Sûreté du Québec and the CBSA are working together in integrated
task forces to target organized crime, including those groups
involved in stolen vehicles.
- To date, CBSA has intercepted 1,205 stolen vehicles in
railyards and ports in 2024.
- The Criminal Code currently has provisions to address
motor vehicle theft at all stages of the crime. This includes
offences that precede the actual theft, the actual theft, the
possession and trafficking in stolen vehicles, and measures that
target the proceeds of the crime. It also includes provisions that
address organized crime and offences that address violent acts
during a theft or carjacking (such as assault, or the use of a
weapon). The amendments to the Criminal Code proposed in
Bill C-69, the Budget Implementation Act 2024, No. 1 would
provide additional tools for law enforcement and prosecutors to
address auto theft.
- 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.
- Most 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.
Related Products
- Budget 2024
- National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft
- Backgrounder: National Action on Combatting Auto Theft
- Government of Canada hosts
National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft
- Statement of Intent on Combatting Auto Theft
- Government of Canada announces
federal investment to combat export of stolen vehicles
- Government of Canada announces
federal support for auto theft investigations and stolen vehicle
recovery
- Government of Canada announces
federal support to prevent crime and combat auto theft in
Ontario
- Government of Canada Announces National Summit on Combatting
Auto Theft
Associated Links
- Canada Border Services Agency enforcement action
statistics
- 598 Vehicles recovered as a result of Project Vector
- CBSA prevents 72 stolen vehicles from being smuggled out of
Port of Montreal
- Criminal Intelligence Service Canada: Summary - Organized Crime
Involvement in Vehicle Theft in Canada
- Justice and Public Safety Ministers conclude productive meeting
focused on joint priorities
SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada