OTTAWA –
The federal authorities goes after automobile thieves in its newest finances, which proposes a number of new Prison Code offences particular to auto thefts.
The Liberals are proposing new fees for the usage of violence whereas stealing a automobile and for hyperlinks to organized crime, in addition to laundering cash for the advantage of a felony group.
They’re additionally planning to make it unlawful to personal or promote the digital and digital gadgets police say are being generally used to steal vehicles.
A brand new aggravating issue will likely be created for thieves who contain a youth of their operation.
These particular modifications have been proposed after a nationwide auto theft summit was held in early February, bringing collectively police, governments, municipalities and private-sector companions to sort out the rising drawback.
An estimated 90,000 vehicles are stolen every year in Canada and most of the thefts contain organized crime.
The Insurance coverage Bureau of Canada paid out round $1.2 billion in claims in 2022, a document excessive. That yr, automobile thefts rose by 50 per cent in Quebec and nearly as a lot in Ontario.
The federal government earmarked $28 million in February to assist cease the export of stolen autos, most of that are destined for Africa and the Center East.
The cash goals to provide the Canada Border Companies Company extra capability to detect and search containers.
Insurers say nearly all of the autos are being stolen from Ontario and Quebec and exported by the busy Port of Montreal.
Round 1.7 million containers moved by the port final yr, together with 70 per cent of Canada’s authorized automobile exports, in line with port authorities.
An operation led by the Ontario Provincial Police searched 400 delivery containers on the port between December and March, and turned up 598 stolen autos.
Insurance coverage fraud prevention group Equite Affiliation stated the highest three targets for thieves are Honda CR-Vs, the most recent Dodge RAM 1500 sequence and Ford F150s.
The finances additionally incorporates a promise to amend the Radiocommunications Act to manage the sale, possession, distribution and import of the kinds of digital gadgets getting used to steal vehicles.
