This week, the federal government announced that it is investing $15 million to support law enforcement agencies’ work to combat the rising auto theft issue that has plagued the country for months on end.
According to a news release, $9.1 million will be provided to provincial, territorial and municipal police forces through the Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime (CPCSOC). The funds will be used to boost their capacity to take custody of detained, stolen vehicles from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
“As was highlighted at the recent National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft, collaboration is essential to combatting this crime efficiently,” said Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, in a statement. “The investment we are making today will enable police services to further strengthen their cooperation.”
LeBlanc was among the many people that were present for the announcement in Montréal, Qué. Others included Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Transport and Quebec Lieutenant; Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal; Mike Duheme, Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP); and Fady Dagher, Chief of the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).
In addition to the $9.1 million, INTERPOL’s joint transnational vehicle crime project will receive $3.5 million — used to increase information sharing and investigative tactics meant to identify and retrieve stolen vehicles and parts around the globe. And $2.4 million will be put towards the federal government’s efforts to engage its domestic and international partners, helping to ensure a coordinated response to the auto theft issue.
Équité Association’s President and CEO Terri O’Brien released a statement in support of the government’s announcement.
“Équité Association looks forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners in law enforcement, both domestically and internationally, as well as our industry partners, as we work together to ensure the safety of communities across Canada,” he said.
