The federal government is launching what it calls its “national action plan” to combat auto thefts, which will include stronger penalties for thieves, and increased information sharing between police agencies, government officials and border enforcement.
Several cabinet members announced the plan during a Monday morning news conference in Brampton, Ont.
The announcement comes on the heels of the national auto theft summit held in February in Ottawa. According to 2022 industry estimates released at the time, rates of auto theft had spiked in several provinces compared to the year before. In Quebec, thefts rose by 50 per cent. In Ontario, they were up 34.5 per cent.
Police services in the GTA reported an uptick of 104 per cent.
“We are adding new offences targeting auto theft and its links to violence and to organized crime,” Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani told reporters Monday.
He says the government is proposing new offences targeting ringleaders of carjacking gangs, and those who launder the money garnered through organized crime.
Most stolen cars are said to be sold overseas, particularly in Africa and the Mideast. Virani says the money is then used to fuel criminal activity in Canada.
“Those measures will help in the fight not just against organized crime, but against terrorist organizations as well,” Virani said.
More details to come.