Canada needs ‘auto czar’ to combat car theft problem, MPs hear

CBSA Superintendent Jean-Francois Rainville removes a mattress that was used to hide a stolen Toyota Sequoia in a container at a news conference Thursday, July 17, 2014 in Montreal. RCMP and Canadian Border Security Agency busted an auto theft ring operating out of the Port of Montreal and seized 44 luxury vehicles for a total of over a million dollars in the investigation that resulted in four arrests.

Canada needs an “auto czar,” among other measures, to combat the problem of ongoing car thefts, industry officials say.

Representatives from Canadian automotive groups made those suggestions Thursday to MPs on the House of Commons’ public safety committee, which has begun a study into the problem of auto thefts.

“We need to have ensure that, while funding announcements are appreciated, that action takes place quickly on this as cars are still being stolen every day,” said Huw Williams, national spokesperson with the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association.

“The violent crime that’s associated with them is taking place every day. We need a senior official appointed, almost like an auto czar, to make sure that CBSA and some of the other departments are brought together to do things differently. Doing it the same old way is not going to get it done. We need a new way of addressing organized crime.”

Experts have warned that Canada is quickly becoming a “source nation” for vehicle theft and resales, often with the involvement of organized crime groups.

In Quebec and Ontario, reported vehicle thefts increased by roughly 50 per cent in 2022, alongside a 35 per cent increase reported in Atlantic Canada.

Video: Feds move to ban auto theft tech device ‘Flipper Zero’

The issue was the subject of a summit in Ottawa this week, bringing together politicians, law enforcement and industry representatives to figure out a unified response.

The federal government recently announced an additional $28 million for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to improve the agency’s ability to detect and search shipping containers used to transport stolen vehicles overseas.

Ottawa also pledged an additional $15 million over three years to fight the issue, with $9 million going towards police services to increase their capacity to take custody of stolen vehicles identified by the CBSA.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet ministers have also suggested they’re open to stiffer criminal penalties for repeat offenders or those connected to organized crime caught stealing vehicles.

Video: Vehicle thefts increase in Edmonton as stolen autos used to commit crime or sold overseas

However, the issue still persists, and it is “leaving a stain” on Canada’s trading reputation, said Damon Lyons, executive director of the Canadian Vehicle Exporter’s Association.

“Our reputation on the international stage is paramount to our collective success in the automotive industry. For well over 40 years, Canada has been known around the world as the most trusted nation to do business with and source vehicles from the international market,” he told MPs.

“When organized crime threatens killing citizens and businesses, it is incumbent upon the government to root out organized crime so that Canada can regain its rightful place as a leader in trusted international trade.”

More on Canada

Lyons suggested investments in artificial intelligence could help border officials assess shipments before they leave a port.

“There are vast sums of data which come into that service portal, and it’s just not possible for five people or 100 people to go through that data,” he said.

“If the CBSA takes part of this $28 million and we apply that to intelligence targeting on those export declarations, they have an idea of what containers they should be looking at.”

David Adams, president of the Global Automakers of Canada, told MPs that car manufactures are “constantly reviewing” and updating their “security systems,” but are facing increasing odds against “sophisticated” international organized crime rings.

“We’ve been meeting with Amazon and other online platforms to discuss the reality that the tools and devices with apparently no other legitimate purpose other than to facilitate auto theft are readily available on their platforms,” he said.

“We don’t have all the answers by any means, and auto theft is a very complex problem for which there are no quick fixes or silver bullets. However, we do believe that there are some short-, medium- and longer-term initiatives that could be undertaken to address the other problem plaguing our country right now.”

Video: Feds should regulate sale of ghost keys to curb vehicle thefts: Champagne

Adams added that for example, automakers are working on improving key fobs so that when they are stationary, its transmission signal is cut off, eliminating the opportunity for thieves to hijack it and steal the car.

He said automakers are also looking at creating a digital geofence around a vehicle, so that if it moves beyond a certain radius, such as a home, the owner will be notified.

“Technology is constantly evolving in vehicles, it’s constantly being improved and hardened against vehicle theft,” Adams said.

“No automaker wants to have their vehicle on the top 10 list of stolen vehicles because it’s a black mark against their reputation. We’re working diligently to address the technology in vehicles on a daily basis.”

MPs were also set to hear from other officials later on Thursday.

— with files from Alex Boutilier and Touria Izri