Car theft: Ottawa wants tougher penalties for offenders

On Monday, the Government of Canada unveiled a national action plan to combat vehicle theft to “disrupt, dismantle and prosecute the criminal organizations” involved.

Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez and Innovation, Science and Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne made the announcement at a press briefing on Monday morning.

This action plan follows on from the National Summit to Combat Vehicle Theft, and includes several measures to combat this scourge. A record 1205 vehicles have been intercepted in rail yards and ports this year, as of May 4, representing a 105% increase over 2023.

In particular, the Trudeau government plans to add new legislative and regulatory provisions, including amendments to the Criminal Code, to increase penalties for offenders in cases involving violence, organized crime and money laundering.

The Radiocommunication Act should also be amended to further regulate the sale, distribution and import of devices used to steal cars.

Improvements in the exchange of intelligence and information between different police forces and border agencies are also planned.

More containers will also be searched by the authorities, the government has announced.

$28 million will be invested to improve the existing verification process and add staff.

The plan aims “to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute criminal organizations involved in vehicle theft”, Ottawa said in a press release.

Following the unveiling of this plan, the various stakeholders were mandated to follow it up.