On February 8, the federal government will organize a national vehicle theft summit in Ottawa to discuss this scourge with all stakeholders, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic Leblanc announced.
This event brings together representatives from different levels of government, police forces, border services, car manufacturers and insurance companies.
“The scale of the scourge requires coordination [entre les intervenants]says Mr. Leblanc. Everyone involved needs to pull together quickly to tackle the problem of car theft.”
“It is a major nuisance for victims and puts pressure on insurance premiums,” he adds. Vehicle owners actually have a real cost that is shared across many people.”
Quebec's Minister of Public Security, François Bonnardel, confirms his presence at the event.
“The scourge of car theft was one of Quebec's priority issues at the last meeting of federal, provincial and territorial partners in Bromont last October,” he said in a written statement. I will work with public safety teams to find lasting solutions.”
According to statistics from the Groupement des Assureurs Automobiles, more than 10,000 vehicle sales were registered in Quebec in 2022.
A Bureau of Investigation article revealed in October that a lack of customs officers, equipment, cooperation and will meant that thousands of vehicles stolen in Quebec and Ontario were easily shipped abroad under the nose of the Border Services Agency.
The Port of Montreal is particularly popular with theft networks: 1,050 vehicles were confiscated there by border services in 2022, compared to 57 at all other ports in the country.
This government announcement comes as the Liberal Party of Canada began a retreat on Sunday that will last until Tuesday.
Many topics are being discussed these days, including the cost of living as well as the 2024 American presidential election, which could mean a return of Donald Trump to the White House.