Report highlights urgent need for governments to address growing protection gap for natural catastrophes and cyber crime
Toronto, ON (Nov. 24, 2023) – Following Premier Doug Ford and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner’s announcement of an $18 million investment to help combat auto theft, Amanda Dean, Interim Vice-President, Ontario, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), issued the following statement:
“IBC commends the Ontario government on its continued commitment to fighting auto theft, reflected in today’s announcement of an $18 million investment over three years to help police services combat and prevent auto theft, delivered through Ontario’s Preventing Auto Thefts grant.
Last year marked the first time in history when Canada’s insurers paid over $1 billion in claims for stolen vehicles.[1] In Ontario alone, auto theft claims costs were approximately $700 million in 2022, up from approximately $160 million in 2018, a staggering 329% increase.
IBC believes a whole-of-society approach is necessary to help end auto theft and we are encouraged by the Ontario government’s commitment to create a provincial auto theft team with dedicated prosecutorial support to strengthen provincial capacity to police and deter organized crime’s involvement in auto theft.
We echo Premier Ford’s call for the federal government to play a leadership role in tackling the surge in auto thefts and preventing the outflow of stolen vehicles from Canada’s ports. Canada’s insurers continue to call on the federal government for the creation of a National Task Force on Stolen Vehicles, which should immediately convene key experts and stakeholders to validate a suite of solutions needed to reduce vehicle theft in the near term and ensure they are implemented in coordination.
IBC is also pleased that the Government of Ontario has indicated through today’s announcement that it will foster a partnership with us and other stakeholders to share information and resources and to help in the development of effective prevention strategies and public education campaigns. IBC and Équité Association recently launched a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the costs of auto theft, and we look forward to continuing to build greater public awareness of the auto theft crisis.
Canadians should not have to live in fear of auto theft and deserve the reassurance and the knowledge that their governments are doing everything they can to fight back against theft.”
Notes
1. Vehicle Theft Reaches A Crisis Level As Canada Becomes A Source Nation For Illegal Trade: Équité Association recommends a layered approach to combat the dramatic increase in Canadian vehicle thefts (June 6, 2023).
About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada’s private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up the vast majority of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. For more than 50 years, IBC has worked with governments across the country to help make affordable home, auto and business insurance available for all Canadians. IBC supports the vision of consumers and governments trusting, valuing and supporting the private P&C insurance industry. It champions key issues and helps educate consumers on how best to protect their homes, cars, businesses and properties.
For more information, visit www.ibc.ca. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC’s Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC.
Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)
Backgrounder:
Ontario Taking Action to Combat Auto Theft
Mississauga, ON (Nov. 24, 2023) – The Ontario government is investing $18 million over three years to help police services combat and prevent auto theft, while protecting communities and keeping people and their property safe. The Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) grant will provide funding for 21 projects that feature new and enhanced crime-fighting measures focused on prevention, detection, analysis and enforcement.
“This investment will help our police services crack down on the growing problem of auto theft, dismantle organized crime networks and get these criminals off the streets and behind bars where they belong,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Our government is making the necessary investments so that our police officers have the tools they need to keep people and communities safe.”
Funding for police projects includes:
- Acquiring specialized resources, including surveillance equipment, software and GPS tracking devices
- Providing specialized training to police investigators to enhance skillsets specific to auto theft
- Creating new units dedicated to auto theft, including cross-jurisdictional units that will serve more than one police service to break down silos and address organized criminal activity
- Expanding data collection and analysis efforts to capture more metrics on the linkage to organized crime and other criminal activity
- Fostering partnerships with organizations such as the Insurance Bureau of Canada and the Canadian Automobile Association, as well as local car dealerships to share information and resources and to help in the development of effective prevention strategies and public education campaigns.
“Every 14 minutes a vehicle is stolen in Ontario, and this investment will give police services the tools they need to successfully fight auto theft across the province,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “With increased efforts and tactics used by thieves and criminal networks, our government is staying one step ahead. This grant will enable police services to work with key partners to enhance knowledge and resources, improve investigations and gather evidence to hold criminals accountable.”
The PAT grant is one of several measures underway to fight auto theft. Earlier this year, Ontario announced the Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft Team to help Police Services identify, disrupt and dismantle organized crime networks. In addition, the government also announced the creation of the Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team to help police prepare and prosecute complex cases. Ontario is also exploring opportunities to combat vehicle thefts by partnering with Canada Border Services Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and shipping container and rail companies.
“Auto theft continues to be one of our most pressing issues that gravely impacts our community and its safety,” said Nishan Duraiappah, Chief of Peel Regional Police. “We continue to invest resources in enhancing investigative and enforcement capacity as we combat auto theft and disrupt organized groups that are responsible. We are pleased with the leadership and commitment the province has shown on the issue, and the funding provided through the Preventing Auto Thefts Grant will further support our ongoing efforts in our region.”
The PAT grant is one of the Ontario government’s community safety grant programs, providing funding opportunities for police services to work with local and provincial partners on safety priorities. All municipal, First Nations police services and Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) contract and non-contract locations were eligible to apply under the PAT grant through a competitive grant application process.
Quick Facts
- From 2014 to 2021, there was a 72 per cent increase in auto theft across the province, and a 14 per cent increase in the last year alone.
- Car thefts in Ontario have increased by 31 per cent in the first six months of 2023, when compared to the same period in 2022.
- Thieves and criminal networks have specifically targeted the Greater Toronto Area:
- In Toronto, auto thefts increased 81 per cent from 2014 to 2021 and the city experienced a 78 per cent increase in violent carjackings from 2021 to 2022
- 5,077 vehicles were reported stolen in Toronto in the first half of 2023
- In Peel Region, carjackings have risen 45 per cent since 2021
- York Regional Police report an 82 per cent increase in auto theft when comparing the first half of 2023 to 2022.
Additional Resources
Source: Government of Ontario
Tags: Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), Ontario, vehicle theft
