Between 2021 and 2023, auto theft in Ontario surged by 48.2%.
These criminals are organised and they are bold. Why? Because the auto-theft industry is lucrative, and our justice system is simply not equipped to deal with industrial-scale auto theft. Auto theft is $1.2 billion industry in Canada and the third largest source of revenue for organized crime after drugs and guns. This is a public safety crisis.
I am asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal government, and Premier Doug Ford and the provincial government to do these three things and start fixing this problem.
First – the federal government must secure our ports.
Almost all vehicles stolen in Canada are shipped overseas – yet fewer than 1% of containers leaving Canada are checked. This must change.
There is a simple solution. Scanners are routinely used in the US to intercept stolen goods before they are shipped. The federal government’s timeline to implement scanners at our ports over the next three years is unacceptable. They must be installed right now. We can and must detect and intercept stolen cars before they leave Canada.
Second – we need bail reform.
Over the past few years there has been an increase in the release of serious, repeat, or violent offenders. The province must double their efforts on bail hearings, pursue bail reviews, and instruct Crown Attorneys to make sure people who contravene their bail conditions forfeit their bond. The police must increase detection and investigation of bail breaches.
Third – Canada’s criminal code must be toughened.
Our police have been asking for auto theft to be treated the same as other organized crime with tough penalties for auto thieves. The federal government must immediately amend the Criminal Code so that auto theft is treated like offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with mandatory minimum penalties – and to add new offences related to the possession, trafficking, and exportation of stolen vehicles.
No more excuses, no more auto summits. It is time to act.
Let’s demand that the federal government secure our ports and amend the criminal code, and that the provincial government act on bail reform.
Click here to sign this petition and send a message — enough is enough.