My Reflection on the Critical Auto Theft Dialogue in Ottawa

Version française

The momentum on combatting auto theft in 2024 has already exceeded my expectations. In February, I was honoured to represent Équité Association and the insurance industry twice in Ottawa to speak about the impacts of auto theft on Canadians and the solutions to keep our communities safe. The February 8 National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft was an important step forward to finding collaborative solutions. I was heartened to see participants from all levels of government, law enforcement agencies across Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and insurance industry partners to speak about the reasons behind the significant rise in auto theft over the last few years, as well as to bring forward action-focused solutions.

On February 26th, I testified in the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security later in a panel focused on the ‘Growing Problem of Car Thefts in Canada’ along with Insurance Bureau of Canada.  

As Canada’s authority on insurance crime and fraud prevention, Équité was invited to participate in both of these discussions. As President & CEO, I spoke on behalf of our members on the continued crisis and its impact on Canadians as referenced in our 2023 Auto Theft Trend Report, noting the existing gaps and vulnerabilities leading to the increase in thefts, and current initiatives underway.

At the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft, I presented alongside deeply knowledgeable speakers and appreciated the insightful questions from federal ministers who were focused on finding immediate and action-focused solutions to the auto theft crisis.

• On behalf of in the insurance industry, my colleague Celyeste Power, President and CEO of the Insurance Bureau of Canada provided solutions which were provided by our joint members. Leaders from Aviva Canada and Intact each provided real-world examples of how auto theft is affecting individuals and the industry.  
• The importance of community safety was underscored by the strong law enforcement presence especially in Ontario and Quebec. This aligns with the experiences Équité has witnessed, as close partners with many law enforcement agencies across Canada, and we’re dedicated to continuing our close partnerships.
• I was heartened to hear CBSA’s President, Erin O’Gorman’s openness to dialogue around information sharing with the express purpose of closing gaps and vulnerabilities at the port. Information and collaboration is the heart of our work at Équité and I look forward to continuing that conversation.

Continuing Momentum

Canadian insurers are the ones taking those urgent calls from consumers, looking for assistance at a time when they feel scared and victimized. By working together, collaborative partnerships are truly effective and can share information and intelligence that help identify patterns and trends in criminal activity.

Over the past few weeks I was pleased to see that there has been some real momentum in the fight against auto theft; a result of an unprecedented level of collaboration between the insurance industry, law enforcement, the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), all levels of government, and Équité Association.

• Transport Canada committed to modernize the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to ensure they consider technological advancements to deter and prevent auto theft.
• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police integrated Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) stolen vehicle information with INTERPOL's Stolen Motor Vehicle Database.
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) announced intentions to ban technology devices used to steal vehicles
• Federal Funding Announcements
  • $15 million to support various law enforcement agencies and partners in their work to combat auto theft in Canada‍
  • $121 million to help prevent gun and gang violence in Ontario, including auto theft through the Initiative to take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence (ITAAGGV).‍
  • $28 million for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to have more capacity to detect and search containers with stolen vehicles, as well as further enhance collaboration and information sharing with partners across Canada and internationally

I believe that 2024 will be a turning point in combatting auto theft. At both the National Summit and the Standing Committee, I heard genuine concern from the federal government and I am optimistic that the actions already taken, coupled with the soon-to-be-announced federal Action Plan, will be an important step towards ending the auto theft crisis in Canada. In harnessing our collective strength, we can truly make headway in protecting honest, hardworking Canadians.

‍

‍