Équité Association, Canada’s national insurance crime and fraud prevention body, has reported a 19.1% decline in the theft of private passenger vehicles during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
The decline was most pronounced in Ontario, where thefts dropped 25.9%, from 12,949 in the first half of 2024 to 9,600 in the same period this year. Quebec saw a 22.2% reduction, with 3,889 vehicles reported stolen, down from 5,000. In Western Canada, thefts declined by 9.4%, with Alberta accounting for a 12.5% decrease. Atlantic Canada saw a 9% decline year-over-year.
Nationally, 23,094 private passenger vehicles were reported stolen in the first half of 2025, down from 28,549 in the same period in 2024.
“Canada is a safer place today than it was at the height of the auto theft crisis,” said Terri O’Brien, president and CEO of Équité Association.
“Auto theft returning to pre-crisis levels demonstrates the effectiveness of Équité’s unified voice on behalf of our members. Led by Public Safety Canada, with solution-focused recommendations from Équité, the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft has been instrumental in implementing comprehensive strategies to protect Canadians from the organized crime behind the auto theft crisis.”
Despite the overall reduction, Équité cautioned that auto theft remains a persistent issue. Bryan Gast, national vice president of Investigative Services, said, “Canadians have endured the significant impacts of vehicle crime, and while these first half of 2025 numbers are encouraging, the fight is far from over.”
Équité recently participated in the UL Standards & Engagement Advisory Committee, which published the first harmonised Canada-US standard for vehicle theft deterrent equipment and systems. Gast noted that the next step is implementation, with the goal of preventing theft and reducing cross-border crime.
The report also highlighted a shift in criminal tactics. Investigators are seeing more vehicles stolen for dismantling at chop shops or re-VIN operations, which complicates recovery.
Équité stated it remains focused on strengthening its investigative and technological capabilities to combat insurance crime and reduce the impact on policyholders.
