An update on progress made under the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft was recently released by Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, which noted that auto thefts were down nearly 20 per cent nationally in 2024.
Some of the key actions taken since the federal government’s last action plan progress update, which was released on October 2024, include addressing fraudulent vehicle registration, seeking the best way to regulate radio devices used for auto theft, next steps to modernize anti-theft protection, strengthening financial intelligence, and joining INTERPOL’s Project Drive Out, among other things.
“The downward trend we are seeing is promising, but we will not let our guard down. We are ramping up the fight against organized crime and fentanyl trafficking, which we know has long been fueled by illicit proceeds from auto theft,” said David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety, in a statement. “These actions will help further the progress we’ve already made on auto theft, while strengthening our border and keeping our communities safe.”
Efforts to combat organized crime in particular include a newly appointed Fentanyl Czar, a Canada-United States Joint Strike Force, an intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl, and a Joint Operational Intelligence Cell (JOIC).
“Every car that we can prevent from being stolen helps keep money out of the hands of organized crime and drug traffickers,” said Anita Anand, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, in a statement. “Our approach is already having a positive impact and the work will continue to make vehicles much harder to steal.”
