OntarioCrackingDownonAutoTheft

Province tackling organized crime networks and holding criminals accountable

The Ontario government is fighting auto theft by investing $51 million in new measures to help police identify and dismantle organized crime networks and put thievesbehindbars.Thefundingwillsupportfirstof-its kind auto theft prosecution teams to investigate and prosecute criminal organizations thatprofitfromstolenvehicles.

“Withvehicletheftsandcarjackingsonthe rise,ourgovernmentistakingboldactionagainsta serious and often violent crime where high-tech criminals operate in tightly organized networks,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “These measures are aimed at taking crime organizations apartandbringingthesecriminalstojustice.”

The investment will be delivered over threeyearsandincludes:

! The creation of an Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft Team led by the Ontario ProvincialPolice(OPP):

! Drawing upon the experience and success of the province's towing joint force operation, the Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft Team will work with police services to identify, disrupt and dismantle organized crime networks participatinginvehicletheft.

! Anew community safety grant that targets autotheft:

! Starting this year, OPP,municipalandFirst Nations police services will be eligible to apply for funding for extra tools, supports and resources to fight and prevent auto theft in their communities. Funding can be used for public education and awareness campaigns or technology to assist police with surveillanceandidentificationofstolenvehicles.

! Creation of a new Major Auto Theft ProsecutionResponseTeam:

! Thisteamwillprovidededicatedlegaland prosecutorial support to the OPP to prepare and prosecutecomplexcases,withcorrespondingcourt supportstaffandresources.

“We need a strong approach across the justice sector to stop the rise in auto thefts across Ontario,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “Today's investments will support the creation of dedicated auto theft prosecution teams and enhanced court resources to investigate and prosecute criminal organizations, and ensure justiceisserved.Ourautotheftfocuswillsupport ourongoingeffortstoensurecommunitiesremain safeandthatweholdoffendersaccountable.”

To help stop the illegal export of stolen vehiclesandtargetviolentcrimelinkedtocriminal organizations, the Ontario government is also investing $1.4 million over three years in the Greater Toronto Area-Greater Golden Horseshoe Investigative Fund. This funding will continue to provideeligiblepoliceserviceswiththeresources theyneed,includingcutting-edgetechnology.

Additionally, as part of the Guns and Gangs Violence Reduction Strategy, Ontario will continue to target organized crime that fuels gang operations, such as vehicle theft rings, through a further$13.4millioninvestmentthisyear.Funding willsupportagunsandgangsjointforcesoperation ledbytheOPPtoincreaseintelligencesharingand enforcement across multiple jurisdictions, as well asaprovincialgunsandgangssupportunittoassist withinvestigationsandprosecutions.

The Ontario government is also taking further action against auto theft by exploring opportunities to work in partnership with Canada Border Services Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and shipping container and rail companies.

InOntario,acarisstolenevery48minutes.

From2014to2021,therewasa72percent increaseinautotheftacrosstheprovince,anda14 percentincreaseinthelastyearalone.

Thieves and criminal networks have specificallytargetedtheGreaterTorontoArea:

! In Toronto, auto thefts increased 81 per centfrom2014to2021andthecityexperienceda 78 per cent increase in violent carjackings from 2021to2022.

! In Peel Region, carjackings have risen 45 percentsince2021.

! From 2021 to 2022, auto thefts in Halton Region increased by approximately 49 per cent, with Oakville and Burlington hardest hit.

"While vehicle theft is not new, the frequency of these incidents and the level of involvement of organized criminal networks representsanewandevolvingthreat.TheOPP-led Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft Team addresses this issue from a provincial and interprovincial level.With the support of our partners, includingtheSûretéduQuébecandtheServicede PolicedelaVilledeMontréal,wewilldisruptthe threat posed by these organized crime networks." said Thomas Carrique Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner.