$121M to target auto theft and gun violence in Ontario

Federal funds are being allocated to fight the growing issue of auto theft in Ontario.

Auto theft has become so prolific in Canada that global organizations are taking notice.

“Interpol recently named Canada a new hotspot on the global wave of auto theft,” said York Regional Police Chief Jim MacSween in a press conference today (Jan. 31) in Aurora.

Stolen vehicles have been found overseas and thefts have hit record-breaking levels.

Thefts have become more violent with thieves breaking down doors and using guns to steal cars.

The Government of Canada will invest $121 million towards crime prevention and enforcement efforts, said Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety at the press conference.

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LeBlanc along with Minister of Justice Arif Virani and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the funds from a larger federal fund of $390 million set aside by Ottawa in 2023 for the national initiative to take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence.

The $121 million will go toward fighting gun and gang violence and support efforts to deal with organized crime linkages to auto theft, LeBlanc said.

Specifically, the funds will support collaborative efforts between the RCMP and Canada Border Services, Interpol, governments, all police services, the Insurance Bureau of Canada and the auto industry.

“The $121 million investment over five years is going to provide more resources for our police forces, it is going to help disrupt the drug supply chains, stop illegal guns from entering our province, curb the level of auto thefts and carjackings…” said Ford at the press conference.

Ford said the violence around car theft has become more alarming.

“They are kicking down people’s doors with guns,” said Ford.

MacSween added that a few nights ago, officers arrested a number of people with the Provincial Carjacking Joint Task Force.

“And some of these bandits are driving intentionally at our officers who are trying to make the arrest,” said MacSween. “They’re young people. They’re out there, brandishing firearms, doing home invasions, and it’s just completely unacceptable to any of us.”

MacSween echoed the call for more collaboration.

“The police, we can do our part and we are doing our part, we can’t do it alone. We need collaboration. And we need all partners in all sectors at the table,” he said.

LeBlanc also said a summit on auto theft in Ottawa on Feb. 8 will help identify short and longer-term solutions to the problem.