The Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) praised the federal government’s commitment to combating auto theft while warning that theft rates remain above historical levels.
“IBC and its members commend the federal government for its ongoing commitment to combatting auto theft,” Liam McGuinty, vice-president of federal affairs at the Insurance Bureau of Canada, said in a statement. “Thanks in large part to the concerted efforts of the federal government, provincial governments, and law enforcement, the rate of auto theft has dropped by 21% over the past year.”
McGuinty cautioned against complacency despite the progress. “Now is not the time to rest on our laurels – auto theft rates remain above historical levels and continue to disrupt the lives of Canadians from coast-to-coast,” he said.
The bureau emphasized the human cost of vehicle theft. “Auto theft is not a victimless crime; it causes trauma and incites fear in innocent victims and drivers,” McGuinty said.
Since 2014, auto theft claims have increased by 115% and auto theft losses have risen by 371%, according to IBC.
The statement came in response to the Government of Canada’s update on the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft. The Canada Border Services Agency intercepted 2,277 stolen vehicles in 2024 and an additional 666 by May 31, 2025, according to the government update.
The CBSA and Royal Canadian Mounted Police continue to support joint investigative teams with police in Ontario and Quebec, including Project VECTOR, Project RECHERCHER, and Project EMISSION, which recovered nearly 3,000 reported stolen vehicles in Canada by May 15, 2025.
According to the update, the RCMP received 3,931 notifications about Canadian vehicles and 718 international collaboration requests through INTERPOL’s stolen motor vehicle database as of May 31, 2025. The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada provided 75 financial intelligence disclosures to law enforcement by May 31, 2025.
In March 2025, the RCMP’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau deployed Canadian vehicle examiners to West Africa as part of operation SAFEWHEELS, which resulted in the detection of approximately 150 stolen vehicles and the seizure of more than 75, including 50 Canadian stolen cars.
IBC urged the federal government to implement all recommendations within its National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft, including strengthening the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to ensure vehicles are better designed to prevent vehicle theft.
What are your thoughts on the latest update? Share your insights in the comments below.
