Vehicle theft soared in Canada in 2022, report finds

Vehicle theft in multiple provinces surged last year, according to insurance industry group Équité Association.

The non-profit association, which focuses on the prevention of insurance fraud and crime, said in a report the Canadian insurance industry lost more than $ 1 billion for the first time on vehicle theft claims in 2022.

Vehicle theft was up by 50 per cent in Quebec year over year, by 48.3 per cent in Ontario, by 34.5 per cent in Atlantic Canada and by 18.3 per cent in Alberta.

Vehicle theft has become a national crisis, said Équité Association president and CEO Terri O’Brien. “We know for certain that vehicles in Canada are being stolen by domestic and international criminal organizations,” said O’Brien. “These crimes hurt our communities, and put Canada in the spotlight internationally as a source country for illegal trade.”

Cars are often either exported or “re-vinned,” meaning the Vehicle Identification Number has been changed, said the association, adding the profit margins for stolen vehicles are high, while supply chain issues have contributed to a domestic market for re-vinned vehicles.

The national vehicle recovery rate was 57 per cent.

The organization said most of the stolen vehicles in Quebec and Ontario are newer, because organized crime rings are focusing on new and luxury vehicles for maximum profit overseas.