The Government of Canada has announced further investment into the country’s fight against auto theft. The new federal funding amounts to $15 million and will be allotted to law enforcement agencies.
A substantial portion of the investment, $9.1 million, is allocated to provincial, territorial, and municipal police forces through the Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime, boosting their capacity to take custody of detained stolen vehicles from the Canada Border Services Agency.
An additional $3.5 million, meanwhile, is earmarked for INTERPOL’s joint transnational vehicle crime project, aiming to improve information sharing and investigative strategies for the identification and recovery of stolen vehicles and parts.
The Canadian government is also committing $2.4 million towards fostering collaboration with domestic and international partners, ensuring a unified approach.
The new investment that was announced this week is part of the government’s broader strategy to address auto theft, which increasingly involves organized crime syndicates that use the proceeds to fund other illicit activities.
Minister of Public Safety Dominic LeBlanc said: “Local police services from across the country play a crucial role in combatting auto theft. As was highlighted at the recent National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft, collaboration is essential to combatting this crime efficiently. The investment we are making will enable police services to further strengthen their cooperation.”
In support of the move, Insurance Bureau of Canada president and chief executive Celyeste Power commented: “IBC commends the federal government’s $15 million investment to support the important work law enforcement is doing to fight auto theft.
“[It] builds on the work already happening, including the previous investment in strengthening Canada Border Services Agency and a commitment to modernize the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to include stronger theft deterrents...
“[The] announcement proves that the government heard what key stakeholders highlighted at the recent National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft, including the need for concrete action now.”
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