Auto Theft Dips in Ontario, Quebec as Thieves Look to Atlantic Canada

Auto theft fell in all areas of the country with the exception of the Maritimes, according to a newly released report from insurance crime and fraud prevention expert Équité Association.

The first half of 2024 saw a 17 percent national decrease in auto theft since the same period in 2023, the report said.

Ontario and Quebec are making some headway in combating theft, reporting 14 percent and 36 percent declines respectively. That compares to the 50 percent rise in auto theft in Quebec and 48.3 percent rise in Ontario in 2022.

Rates are also down 5 percent in Alberta and 10 percent in Western Canada overall.

The drop in auto theft rates can be attributed to law enforcement campaigns targeting organized crime-related thefts, but also to ​​the “many meaningful changes” from federal and provincial governments, the insurance industry, and an increased public awareness, Équité said.

Atlantic Canada is the lone section of the country where auto theft increased, rising 11 percent year-over-year, the report said.

That increase “is likely tied to the strong measures in place to combat auto theft in Ontario and Quebec, forcing thieves to look to other provinces,” Équité said, noting that sedans, coupes, hatchbacks, and wagons made between 2010-2016, are the most stolen category of vehicle in the Atlantic provinces.

Despite the auto theft increase in the easternmost section of the country, progress is being made in addressing the problem, the organization says.

“We’re seeing some early signs of progress in cracking down on auto theft thanks to the measures implemented, but there’s no room for complacency,” Équité Association Vice President of Investigative Services Bryan Gast said in a July 16 press release. “The momentum established in the first half of 2024 has been critical in identifying impactful solutions.”

Prevention

While Équité identified Public Safety Canada’s auto theft summit in February and the subsequent national action plan and $18 million government commitment as “significant contributors” to the reduction in thefts so far this year, the agency warns against solely relying on these measures.

To truly tackle the problem, authorities need to go on the defensive,  Équité Association CEO Terri O’Brien says.

“To continue the national decrease in auto theft, there must be a shift from recovering stolen vehicles to preventing vehicles from being stolen in the first place,” Ms. O’Brien said in the press release.

Theft may be on the decline in Ontario and Quebec this year, but it remains an issue. Nearly 18,000 vehicles were stolen in the two provinces during the first half of the year, including 5,532 SUVs in Ontario, and 2,816 SUVs in Quebec.

The large urban centres in the southern sections of both provinces are prime areas for auto thieves because of their close proximity to the Port of Montreal, a popular port for organized crime rings to ship stolen vehicles overseas. The majority of stolen vehicles exported are destined for Africa and the Middle East, the government said.

One way to prevent auto theft from occurring, Ms. O’Brien said, is the use of anti-theft technology.

“Several auto manufacturers have registered anti-theft technology patents,” she said. “By utilizing simple and effective technology that has already been developed and patented, manufacturers have the ability, right now, to mitigate vehicle theft and prioritize public safety.”

According to the Équité Association’s list of the top 10 vehicles stolen in 2022, SUVs and trucks are targeted more often than sedans, with the Honda CR-V topping the list. The Dodge RAM 1500 Series, the Ford F150 series, the Lexus RX Series, and the Toyota Highlander rounded out the top five most-stolen vehicles.

The Honda Civic, the lone car on the list, took the sixth spot followed by the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Land Rover Range Rover, the Chevrolet/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 series, and the Jeep Wrangler.