In a decisive move to combat the escalating issue of auto theft, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, announced the deployment of a mobile X-ray scanner to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This advanced technology will significantly enhance the examination of containers in Ontario, providing a robust tool in the fight against organized crime groups involved in auto theft.
This initiative is part of the National Action Plan Combatting Auto Theft, which aims to disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute the criminal organizations behind these thefts. The Government of Canada is committed to exploring and implementing the most efficient methods to intercept stolen vehicles, including the use of non-intrusive inspection technology.
“Auto theft is a serious crime affecting many Canadians, especially in urban centers. The addition of this scanner in the GTA will provide border services officers with an additional tool to detect stolen vehicles before they can leave the country. We’ll keep taking action to crack down on auto theft and the organized crime groups behind it,” said Minister LeBlanc.
The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, highlighted the government’s leadership in addressing this issue. “Our Government is taking real leadership to stop auto theft, here in Brampton and across the country. We have invested millions of dollars in our National Action Plan Combatting Auto Theft, equipping the police and security agencies with the resources they need to stop auto theft. With this new X-ray scanning technology, we will be able to intercept even more stolen vehicles.”
Local MPs also emphasized the significance of this initiative. Shafqat Ali, MP, remarked, “Today, we’re taking a significant step forward in our work to combat auto theft in Ontario. By harnessing cutting-edge technology to enhance container examinations, we’re bolstering our ability to disrupt and dismantle organized criminal groups. We remain committed to leveraging the most effective methods to intercept stolen vehicles and keep our communities safe.”
Maninder Sidhu, MP, added, “Communities across Ontario, including Oakville, are disproportionately impacted by the rise in auto theft. To protect the safety and security of Canadians, we are kicking into gear federal strategies to stop auto theft. By utilizing advanced technology to improve container inspections here in the GTA and across the country, we are helping to break up organized crime networks and intercept stolen vehicles.”
Sonia Sidhu, MP, noted, “Auto theft is a serious and often violent crime that cannot be tolerated. The government of Ontario has long advocated for enhanced measures on our streets and in our ports and rail yards to help curb the trade of stolen vehicles. New X-ray scanners are needed at our critical rail yards and ports to stop the illegal export of stolen cars from Ontario and Canada.”
Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton expressed his support, stating, “The addition of this scanner is a critical step in our efforts to combat auto theft in our city and beyond. It reflects the strong collaboration between local and federal authorities to ensure the safety and security of our residents.”
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) plays a crucial role in this effort, conducting daily export examinations and selecting containers of interest for secondary examination at docks or warehouses. In 2024 alone, the CBSA has intercepted more than 1,300 stolen vehicles in railyards and ports, including 452 in the GTA. The deployment of the mobile X-ray scanner will further enhance these efforts, ensuring a more robust and efficient response to the growing threat of auto theft.
