While auto thefts in Peel Region have significantly decreased, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown is calling for more action to curb the crime, particularly in light of the upcoming elections. Brown remains concerned about the effectiveness of current measures despite the reported drop in vehicle thefts.
After lobbying for scanners at two major intermodal hubs in Brampton and Vaughan, which were previously used to transport stolen vehicles to the Port of Montreal, Brown expressed optimism that these scanners, implemented last year, had contributed to a 50% reduction in auto thefts within the region.
“We’ve seen a 50% drop in auto thefts in Peel, but if we want to go further, we need to tackle bail reform and address issues at the Port of Montreal,” Brown said in an interview on Wednesday. He noted that in 2022, 80% of stolen vehicles in Ontario were bound for international resale through Montreal, contributing to Canada’s status as a hub for auto theft.
Though scanners at the intermodal hubs have reduced the likelihood of stolen vehicles being shipped via these routes, Brown insists there are still other avenues for criminals to transport stolen cars to Montreal.
“You can still drive stolen vehicles to the Port of Montreal or even put them on a truck,” Brown stated, adding that no political party, whether Liberal, Conservative, or New Democratic, has yet made a concerted effort to address security at the port. “I don’t know why we haven’t seen a press conference from any party leader saying, ‘We’re going to secure this port and stop criminal activity.’”
In the first two months of 2024, Peel police reported 858 vehicle thefts in Brampton and Mississauga, down from 1,503 in the same period last year. Overall, 7,231 thefts were recorded in 2024, a decline from 8,322 in 2023 and 6,042 in 2022. However, Brown is also advocating for bail reform, saying that repeat offenders are often released immediately, creating a cycle of repeated crimes.
“People engaged in auto theft are often released right away,” he explained. “If they face no real consequences, they’re likely to reoffend. The current bail system is too lenient, especially for property crimes.”
In response to the ongoing issue, several political parties have outlined their positions.
Liberal Party of Canada
A spokesperson for the Liberal Party highlighted Mark Carney’s platform, which proposes making bail more difficult for those charged with car theft, particularly in cases involving violence, organized crime, or human trafficking. Carney also advocates for reversing the burden of proof at bail hearings for such cases, meaning the accused would need to prove they do not pose a public safety risk.
Carney also announced plans to increase the number of Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers and support their efforts with additional scanners, drones, and canine teams.
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party has focused heavily on border security, with Pierre Poilievre calling for the hiring of 2,000 new CBSA officers and the implementation of state-of-the-art X-ray scanners at major Canadian ports, including Montreal, Vancouver, Prince Rupert, and Halifax. Poilievre also plans to “repeal catch-and-release bail” and end house arrests for serious offenders.
In addition, the Conservatives are proposing increased mandatory jail sentences for repeat offenders of auto theft and the introduction of an aggravating factor for car thefts tied to organized crime.
New Democratic Party
NDP leader Jagmeet Singh criticized the Liberal government for delaying measures to prevent auto theft. He also pointed to Pierre Poilievre’s tenure as a cabinet minister, during which he cut $600 million from the RCMP and eliminated over 1,100 border security jobs.
Singh emphasized the need for action, stating, “I believe action is needed now to put a stop to this theft that is costing Canadian families thousands of dollars.” He also referenced the NDP’s past motion to compel auto CEOs to disclose security features, which Singh believes is a necessary step in combating auto theft.
As the issue of auto theft continues to affect families and communities, political leaders are under increasing pressure to implement stronger measures to prevent these crimes and address the ongoing challenges at the Port of Montreal.
Leave a Reply