Brian Gast, vice president of Equite's investigative services division, highlights the gravity of vehicle theft, stating, 'That's the money that is up for grabs for organized crime. That's what it's about. It's being used to purchase guns, drugs, whatever the case may be. It's being used to further their criminal operations domestically and internationally.' This underscores the link between vehicle theft and broader criminal activities, indicating that the ramifications go beyond merely losing a car.
According to Equite's report, auto thefts in Ontario jumped by 48% from 2021 to 2023, and a vehicle is stolen in Canada every five minutes. This alarming statistic emphasizes the growing trend of vehicle thefts and indicates a pressing need for enhanced security measures to counteract this surge.
Equite's initiatives aim to improve the security features of vehicles sold in Canada. They contend that tighter security is necessary because, 'Globally, vehicles are manufactured to the requirements of whatever particular country when it comes to the security package, and we're looking to elevate and make the Canadian security package much more robust.' This suggests a targeted approach to mitigate theft risks.
Despite initiatives set forth by federal and provincial governments to combat auto thefts, Brian Gast believes a more comprehensive strategy is essential, noting that traditional car thefts are declining while violent acts like home invasions related to car theft are rising. He suggests that immediate action is required to address this shift in criminal behavior.
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