Canada is facing a severe car theft crisis, with over 105,000 vehicles stolen in 2022 alone, averaging to approximately one car every five minutes. The alarming rate of car thefts has prompted the Insurance Bureau of Canada to declare it a “national crisis,” as insurers have paid out more than C$1.5bn ($1bn; £860m) in vehicle theft claims last year.
Logan LaFarniere, a resident of Milton, Ontario, woke up one October morning to find his brand new Ram Rebel truck missing from his driveway. Surveillance footage revealed two hooded men breaking into the vehicle during the night and driving it away effortlessly. Months later, LaFarniere spotted his stolen truck listed for sale on a website in Ghana, confirming its identity through distinctive features and personal belongings left inside.
The scale of car thefts in Canada is shocking, considering the country’s smaller population compared to the US and the UK, both of which also experience high rates of car theft. Interpol recently listed Canada among the top 10 worst countries for car thefts out of 137 in its database, a notable achievement given that Canada only began integrating its data with the international police organization in February.
Stolen vehicles are often used to commit other violent crimes, sold domestically to unsuspecting Canadians, or shipped overseas for resale. Interpol has identified over 1,500 cars stolen from Canada since February, with approximately 200 more being discovered each week, primarily at ports in other countries.
The car theft epidemic has led to a surge in private measures taken by Canadians to protect their vehicles. Some have resorted to installing trackers, hiring private security, or even installing retractable bollards in their driveways. Nauman Khan, a resident of Mississauga, started a bollard-installation business after he and his brother fell victim to car thefts. The situation has become so dire that some individuals have hired security guards to patrol their homes due to frequent home invasions.
Despite Canada’s smaller number of port cities compared to the US, the country’s rate of car thefts is higher than that of England and Wales. The pandemic-driven global car shortage and the growing international market for certain car models have made auto theft a lucrative revenue stream for organized crime groups.
Efforts to combat car theft have yielded some success, with police recovering stolen vehicles and making numerous arrests. However, the sheer volume of merchandise passing through Canadian ports, coupled with chronic understaffing and outdated technology, poses significant challenges. The Canadian government has pledged to invest millions in strengthening the Canada Border Services Agency’s ability to search shipping containers and provide additional funding to police forces combating auto theft.
While authorities and individuals strive to recover stolen vehicles, there is a growing call for auto manufacturers to enhance vehicle security measures. The focus on vehicle recovery should be complemented by making vehicles more difficult to steal in the first place, according to industry experts.
