The federal government has revealed a comprehensive “national action plan” aimed at tackling the rising issue of auto theft across the country. This initiative includes stronger penalties for thieves, enhanced information sharing among law enforcement agencies, government bodies, and border enforcement, and additional funding for border security and various police agencies.
The plan, announced by several cabinet members during a news conference in Brampton, Ontario, incorporates measures proposed in the federal Liberals’ Budget Implementation Act, 2024, and the fall economic statement. Notably, new criminal offenses targeting auto theft and its association with violence and organized crime are being introduced, with a focus on prosecuting ringleaders of carjacking gangs and those involved in money laundering.
One of the key aspects of the plan is to disrupt the financial networks that support auto theft, with measures aimed at following the money trail and preventing criminals from profiting from stolen vehicles. This includes empowering courts to order individuals to keep their bank accounts open during police investigations and preventing financial institutions from closing such accounts if criminal activity is suspected.
Moreover, the plan addresses the involvement of young offenders in auto theft crimes by proposing an “aggravated factor” in sentencing for adult offenders who recruit or coerce young individuals into criminal activities. This approach aims to target the root cause of auto theft, focusing on the adult criminals who orchestrate and exploit younger individuals to carry out the crimes.
Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc highlighted the significant impact of auto theft on communities, with most carjackings attributed to violent street gangs. The government’s efforts to combat this issue align with ongoing discussions with car manufacturers to enhance vehicle security measures and prevent theft through increasingly sophisticated methods.
In response to the government’s action plan, the federal Conservatives have introduced their own legislation to combat auto theft, emphasizing tougher penalties for gang-related car theft.
Overall, Canada’s national action plan signifies a concerted effort to address the alarming increase in auto theft incidents and disrupt the criminal networks responsible for these offenses. Through collaborative efforts between government agencies, law enforcement, and industry stakeholders, the aim is to enhance public safety and protect communities from the impacts of auto theft.