Canadian vehicle theft concerns

A July 21 survey of 2,503 Canadians found auto theft fell about 33 percent since 2023, with roughly 47,000 vehicles stolen in 2025, yet only 18 percent thought new cars could resist modern key‑fob attacks and 64 percent feared theft. Most respondents (72 %) wanted built‑in anti‑theft technology and 60 % supported government‑mandated standards. The report noted the strongest regional declines in Quebec, modest drops in Ontario, and minimal change in Atlantic Canada, and referenced a 2024 national action plan aimed at disrupting organized theft rings.

A follow‑up survey released July 27 showed public anxiety had risen, with nearly 80 percent believing their vehicles vulnerable to sophisticated tactics such as relay attacks. While theft numbers remained near 47,000 for 2025, a third of stolen vehicles were never recovered and insurance claims fell but grew more costly due to advanced vehicle components. The study highlighted a shift among organized crime from brute‑force to technology‑based thefts, targeting models like the Toyota Tundra and Acura TLX, and identified hotspots in Montreal and surrounding regions. Federal authorities reaffirmed the national action plan, emphasizing tougher sanctions, tighter container inspections and enhanced intelligence sharing, while industry called for stronger anti‑theft devices on new vehicles.