Canada’s auto theft crisis appears to be reversing course. Following a peak in auto theft crimes in 2022 and 2023, the number of incidents in most of the country is decreasing in the first half of 2024. Many are attributing the decline to a collective effort by various groups, but there are many factors in play. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons behind auto theft decline in 2024.
A decrease of 17% in the first half of 2024
An auto theft trend report by Équité Association, a Canadian insurance crime and fraud prevention non-profit group, cites a decrease of 17% in the first half of 2024. This is in comparison to the same period in 2023. This first half of 2024 YoY national decrease in auto theft means that Canada is beginning to see results from the collective efforts to reduce auto theft. It is stemming the flow of funds into organized crime, making Canadian communities safer. Notably, Ontario (-14%) and Quebec (-36%) have the largest decreases in auto theft. “Police services across Canada, particularly Ontario and Quebec, have been building their auto theft units and then working collaboratively,” says Brian Gast, VP of investigative services at Équité in an interview Wednesday.
National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft
The report cites the tangible impact of partnership and information sharing amongst law enforcement, government agencies, insurers, and industry stakeholders. In addition, the increased investment in resources from the federal and provincial governments. In May of 2024, the federal government announced a countrywide plan to fight auto theft. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft would focus on disrupting, dismantling, and prosecuting the organized crime groups involved in the thefts that have been rising at an alarming rate.
“Cracking down on auto theft requires all hands on deck from all levels of government, industry leaders, and law enforcement,” stated François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation at the Science and Industry of Canada. “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.”
Meanwhile, the theft rate in Atlantic Canada went up by 11 percent. The report cites the rise is likely tied to better deterrent measures in Ontario and Quebec.
What is the cost of auto theft?
The Insurance Bureau of Canada paid around $1.5 billion in claims in 2023, a record high. Last year, vehicle thefts rose by 50% in Quebec and almost as much in Ontario. Insurers say the majority of vehicles were being stolen from Ontario and Quebec, and exported through the busy Port of Montreal. Around 1.7 million containers moved through the port last year, including 70% of Canada’s legal vehicle exports, according to port authorities. “Not only are the thefts down, but the recoveries are up, which is a good combination,” Gast remarks.
The federal government estimates 90,000 cars are stolen each year in Canada. Many of the thefts involve connections to organized crime. “This is not just a victimless crime. It’s not just a property crime,” Gast says. “This is organized crime that is targeting the vehicle as a commodity to profit from and fund their criminal operations.” He adds the goal is to lower the theft numbers and take away profits from organized crimes.
Cautious optimism surrounding auto theft decline
“These positive national results are a testament to the collaborative efforts of the insurance industry, federal and provincial governments, law enforcement agencies, and Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) to reduce auto theft and disrupt the flow of funds to organized crime,” Équité wrote in its latest report. Though these trends are mostly positive, the industry fraud prevention organization warns more needs to be done to see theft fully abate. “We’re seeing some early signs of progress in cracking down on auto theft thanks to the measures [in place], but there’s no room for complacency,” says Gast.
Gast also states that he is “cautiously optimistic” about the six-month trend and hopes it continues for the rest of the year. However, a continuous focus on collaborative efforts is needed. “It’s a complex problem with a complex solution. There’s no one silver bullet,” he says. “Everything’s got to come together, right from making the vehicle harder to steal in the first place to helping Canadians — making them aware of some of the precautions.”
So far this year, 8,398 pick-up trucks, 7,539 cars, and 1,448 vans have been stolen across Canada.
Some of the action plans in place to disrupt organized crime include:
- Reporting all stolen vehicles internationally through the database. This includes notifying all countries they might have stolen vehicles there.
- Shipment container inspections to expand even further, including deploying scanning and detection technology beyond ports in places like rail yards. Public Safety Canada will lead a working group involving all provincial and territorial governments to assist.
Many believe the National Action Plan is a massive step towards continuing to see gains in auto theft decline. The auto theft trend report by Équité Association indicates that the plan is having a notable affect. Disrupting the criminal networks that deal with stolen vehicles is a crucial step to making our communities safer. By following these eight home safety tips, you can add additional peace of mind knowing your vehicle is safe and sound.
As long as auto theft remains an issue, having proper insurance coverage is crucial. Contact us at isure or request a quote today!
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