When political leaders, police and border officials, and executives from the auto industry meet to discuss the continued crisis of auto thefts in Canada on Thursday, they'll have much to discuss, including a report from the Equite Association.
The association represents insurers across Canada.
The report, released on Tuesday, said auto thefts in Ontario rose 48.2 per cent between 2021 and 2023 and 7.1 per cent last year compared to historic highs the year before.
"These trends show that the national auto theft crisis is continuing," said Equite Association President and CEO Terri O'Brien. "Canadians are feeling vulnerable, and the majority of us are especially concerned about personal safety and the safety of their communities. Criminals are becoming more brazen and are increasingly resorting to violence."
In Ontario, 68 per cent of vehicles targeted by thieves are 2017 models or newer, and 55 per cent are SUVs.
With a recovery rate of 44 per cent, the report suggests vehicles are stolen primarily for profit overseas, but some are being sold to unsuspecting Canadians.
Losses tripled between 2018 and 2022 to $1.2-billion.
Recently, the federal government committed $121-million to fight auto theft in Ontario, and O'Brien calls the investment "a significant step forward."
The other major political parties have their proposals.
Earlier this week, Conservative leader Pierre Poilieve announced his party would add 24 new X-ray scanners at the country's four largest ports in Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver, and Prince Rupert if elected in the next federal vote. It would hire 75 more Canada Border Services Agency officers, tighten bail conditions for repeat offenders, introduce a minimum three-year sentence for those convicted a third time, and impose harsher penalties for those found guilty of auto theft connected to organized crime.
Windsor West MP Brian Masse, the NDP Innovation, Auto, Great Lakes and Border critic, said his party would reverse funding cuts to the CBSA and force automakers to make advanced anti-theft technology standard in all new vehicles.
"For years, there have been cuts and lack of investment in CBSA officers and technology from both Conservative and Liberal governments," he said.
Masse pointed out that the Port of Montreal has just eight CBSA officers assigned to examine vehicle exports. He alleged not only are ports understaffed for that purpose, but they're hampered by unreliable equipment. An X-ray screening system at the same port hasn't worked for almost a year.
"The federal government needs to immediately address these necessary staffing and equipment resources for the CBSA to stop stolen vehicles from being exported from Canada, along with mandating that all new vehicles have anti-theft technology," said Masse. "This would also reduce insurance costs for all vehicle owners in the country."
The Equite report suggests auto theft is an increasing concern for Canadians. It said 84 per cent of Canadians worry it's a symptom of rising crime in their community, 69 per cent fear for their personal safety, and 65 per cent want government, police, and auto manufacturers to work together to solve the issue.
