Parliamentary Committee Notes: Opening Remarks
Speaking Notes for The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs
May 23, 2024
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Word Count: 668 (5 mins)
Good morning/afternoon, Mr. Chair, honourable Committee members and colleagues.
Thank you for having me here today to discuss an issue of great importance to Canadians.
Auto theft is a complex, growing crime affecting people across the country.
Complex problems need multi-faceted solutions and widespread collaboration.
Complex problems need multi-faceted solutions and widespread collaboration.
That’s exactly why, on May 20, the federal government announced the launch of the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft.
Work on this plan began at the National Summit on Combatting Auto Theft this past February.
The plan will focus on three areas within federal authority:
First, the federal government will introduce new legislative and regulatory changes that will include tougher penalties for auto theft under the Criminal Code. We’ll also regulate the sale, possession, import and distribution of devices that are used to steal cars.
Second, under this plan, we’ll enhance intelligence and information sharing between all levels of government, law enforcement, international police and customs officials. This will allow us to more quickly identify stolen vehicles at points of export.
Third, we’ll enhance intervention efforts, through strengthened cooperation between police, border officials and the port, rail and shipping industries. This will allow more shipping containers to be examined and will include the use of more innovative detection technology.
Tackling this lucrative, criminal business will take a coordinated, multi-dimensional response to disrupt trafficking networks.
That is why we have engaged, and will continue to engage, provinces, territories, and the most impacted municipalities, as well as associations and industry partners to address this issue from every angle.
In addition to the National Action Plan, on February 7th, we announced $28 million in federal investments to increase the Canada Border Services Agency’s capacity to detect and search shipping containers that may contain stolen vehicles, as well as enhance international collaboration through advanced detection tools such as artificial intelligence.
As well, on February 21st, we announced an additional $15 million in funding over three years to support initiatives targeting auto theft in provinces, territories and municipalities, as well as INTERPOL through the Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime.
Through this investment, local police forces in the places hardest hit will be able to increase their capacity to take custody of stolen vehicles identified by the CBSA.
It will also support a joint INTERPOL project to enhance information sharing and investigations to identify and retrieve stolen vehicles and parts shipped abroad.
Already, our efforts are cracking down on auto theft and getting results.
In January, RCMP officers posted in Italy recently collaborated with Italian authorities when 251 large cars stolen in Canada were seized at an Italian port.
In April, the Canada Border Services Agency collaborated with Ontario and Quebec police to recover nearly 600 stolen vehicles from the Port of Montreal.
They’ve intercepted a total of 1,024 stolen vehicles so far this year—up 105% compared to the same period last year.
Mr. Chair, we are approaching this issue from all angles.
All stakeholders own a piece of the puzzle, and as the Summit and the National Action Plan demonstrate, everyone is more committed than ever to working together.
But vehicle theft is only one of many gang-related violent crimes affecting our communities.
A central part of the Government’s comprehensive plan to address and reduce gun and gang violence also involves preventing it from happening in the first place: zeroing in on the root causes of gang activity and organized crime.
That’s the impetus behind projects like the $250‑million Building Safer Communities Fund, and the $390‑million Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence.
Through this latter initiative, we recently announced a $121‑million investment to counter gun and gang violence in Ontario, which will also be used to help combat auto theft.
The Government will continue using all the tools and authorities at its disposal to combat auto theft.
I look forward to continuing this important work, and collaborating with all my colleagues to keep Canadians safe.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
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