Government of Canada reports on continued progress in fight against auto theft

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Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)

Sep 21, 2026, 14:26 ET

OTTAWA, ON, Sept. 21, 2026 /CNW/ -- Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, released an update on the progress made under the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft (Action Plan).

The National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft is supported by broader Government of Canada efforts to combat crime and strengthen community safety through stronger criminal laws, making critical investments in frontline enforcement and upstream prevention, and taking actions to disrupt organized crime.

Through measures outlined in the Action Plan and ongoing collaboration with partners across Canada, the Government of Canada continues to strengthen efforts to prevent vehicle theft, recover stolen vehicles, disrupt criminal networks and enhance community safety.

Our Action Plan continues to deliver results. Motor vehicle theft is declining across Canada, with police-reported incidents down 16% in 2024 and a further 16% in 2025. According to Équité Association's latest trend report, national auto thefts fell by 10% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.

This latest update highlights key actions and outcomes undertaken by the Government of Canada alongside provincial and law enforcement partners from June 2025 to April 2026, including:

  • Increasing Canada's capacity to detect stolen vehicles at railyards and ports, including through the deployment of a mobile X-ray scanner in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This vehicle detection technology is owned and operated by the RCMP, with support from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). So far in 2026, over 2,800 containers have been scanned using detection technology.
  • Making investments to expand key targeted community safety programs, including $165.4 million for the Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF) and the proposed $75 million over five years for the Canada Community Security Program (CCSP).
  • Providing $1.6 million in funding for three Canadian projects developing innovative vehicle anti-theft technologies.
  • Amending the Customs Act to strengthen the CBSA's ability to examine goods that are destined for export.
  • Proposing updates to the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards  to modernize Canada's vehicle immobilization systems requirements, aligning them with the latest international theft prevention standards.

While significant progress has been made, organized criminal networks continue to evolve, and efforts to combat auto theft must evolve with them. The National Action Plan will continue to be reviewed and updated to ensure Canada's response remains adaptive, coordinated and effective.

Canadians can rest assured that the Government of Canada will continue working closely with law enforcement agencies and industry partners to sustain this progress, protect Canadians' property, and build safer, stronger communities for all.

Quote(s)

"Our National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft is delivering results. The continued decline in auto theft demonstrates what can be achieved through coordinated action and strong partnerships between governments, law enforcement agencies and industry partners. Our government remains committed to disrupting organized crime, preventing vehicle theft, and ensuring our response remains strong, coordinated and effective."

- The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

Quick Facts

  • The Government of Canada's $1.3 billion Border Plan continues to fight against organized crime, the illegal fentanyl trade, and money laundering, which have long been tied to auto theft.
  • The Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) is providing law enforcement agencies with more tools to keep our borders secure and combat transnational organized crime such as auto theft, illegal drugs, and illicit financing.
  • The National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft was developed in collaboration with other levels of government, law enforcement and industry following the National Summit in February 2024.
  • Since early 2024, the Government of Canada has invested $15 million to bolster law enforcement efforts targeting auto theft and support a coordinated domestic and international response to this crime. The CBSA also received $28 million to increase its capacity to identify and search shipping containers for stolen vehicles, explore technological solutions, share intelligence and collaborate with domestic partners to recover stolen vehicles.
  • Project NoCargo, a collaborative pilot launched in June 2025 by the RCMP with the participation of the CBSA, INTERPOL Ottawa, FINTRAC and Canadian financial institutions, prevented the export of hundreds of vehicles obtained through fraudulent means. 392 vehicles were recovered with an estimated value of $28 million.
  • The CBSA intercepted 1,590 stolen vehicles in railyards and ports in 2025 and 830 since the beginning of 2026. The CBSA has established a 24/7 central point of contact for police to coordinate requests to locate vehicles that may be tracked to a marine port or intermodal facility and continues to act on 100% of referrals made by law enforcement partners.

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SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)

Contacts: Simon Lafortune, Deputy Director of Communications and Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]

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Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)