The provincial government intends to give police new powers to crack down on auto theft.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sakaria is tabling proposed legislation that would give police the right to search and seize electronic devices designed to steal vehicles.
“Criminals are relying on these electronic devices, and our legislation, if passed, will give police the authority to search for and seize FOB programming devices, FOB scanners and smartphones loaded with applications that can be used to steal a car,” says Sakaria.
The items can still be used legally by auto dealers for repair purposes or roadside assistance.
Sakaria says with other measures already in place, vehicle thefts are down 16% over the year before.
Last year, the Ford government introduced driver’s licence suspensions for convicted car thieves, including lifetime suspensions for those convicted three times.
It is also a provincial offence to fraudulently register a vehicle, with penalties of up to $100,00, jail time and licence suspensions.
The province also formed task units that work in areas where vehicle theft is highest.
The Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team was involved in over 80 prosecutions last year and provided legal advice on over 20 major investigations relating to more than 1,700 stolen or targeted vehicles.
“We will use every tool at our disposal to stop the crime,” says Sakaria.
