Vehicle theft across Canada still historically high

Canada continues to be easy pickings for vehicle thieves. Data newly released by Insurance Bureau of Canada reveals that auto theft rates in Canada continue to soar well above historical levels.

While the country saw a slight dip (19 %) — mostly in Ontario and Quebec — in insurance claims in the first half of 2024, auto theft claims have risen 138 % over the past decade. Further, the value of auto theft claims has skyrocketed by 442 % over that same time period as thieves go after more expensive cars and trucks, the insurance bureau reports.

Experts credit a dip in Ontario thefts to the opportunistic nature of car thieves, who see easier pickings in western Canada and the Atlantic provinces as law enforcement here has invested significantly in combatting auto theft.

The Statistica database reports 114,863 stolen motor vehicles in Canada in 2023. Canada has been identified as an easy target for international vehicle theft rings. Since the RCMP integrated its data with Interpol last February, Interpol reports that 200 new stolen Canadian vehicles are discovered outside of Canada each week.