The federal government has announced that it will invest $121 million to help prevent crime (gun and gang violence) and combat auto theft in Ontario through its Initiative to take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence (ITAAGGV).
The announcement was made by a number of people, including Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs; and Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario. It comes on the heels of a recent CAA Insurance news release expressing the company’s deep concern over the growing auto theft crisis spreading across the country.
“Today’s announcement will support Ontario’s ongoing efforts to support our police officers and tackle auto theft, gun crime, and gang violence across the province,” said Ford in a statement. “Our government is stepping up with new investments to keep our communities safe and I particularly look forward to working with the federal government through next week’s auto theft prevention summit.”
The National Summit on Combating Auto Theft will take place Feb. 8 in Ottawa, Ont. The goal is to gather leaders from key jurisdictions and sectors to discuss and ensure a coordinated response to the growing auto theft issue.
Attorney General of Ontario Doug Downey, who was also part of the investment announcement, said in a statement that gun crime and auto theft are “urgent and interconnected issues in Ontario.” Around 9,600 vehicles were stolen in the Toronto area in 2022 — a 300 per cent increase from 2015, according to the Canadian Finance and Leasing Association (CFLA).
