Auto theft down 8.4% in Ontario in the first half this year, new report shows

Auto theft down 8.4% in Ontario in the first half this year, new report shows

Équité Association says there is still work to be done to keep numbers down

Auto theft in Ontario decreased by 8.4 per cent in the first half this year, according to a new report.

The report, published by Équité Association last month, indicates 8,796 vehicles were stolen in the province in the first half of 2026 compared to 9,601 in the same time period last year.

The numbers come after the federal government responded to an overwhelming increase in auto theft over the past few years, especially in Ontario and the Toronto area, with a national action plan in 2024. The plan included enhancing customs intelligence, exploring new detection technologies and regulating the distribution of radio devices used for auto theft.

Dominic Monchamp, director of investigation, intelligence and investigative operations at Équité Association, said that action plan was "key."

"There was more active surveillance to detect auto theft. So there was better co-ordination with the law enforcement."

How stolen cars end up back on Canadian streets

But in Toronto, police say auto thefts have risen by 8.8 per cent so far this year. In 2025, auto thefts were down 32.2 per cent by year end, Toronto Police Service spokesperson Nadine Ramadan told CBC News in a statement.

"It's challenging to attribute these trends to a single factor," she said.

"TPS continues to work closely with law enforcement partners, including Équité Association, to disrupt these crimes."

Only three years ago, over 12,000 vehicles were stolen across Toronto over 12 months with a total combined value of $790 million, according to Toronto police. And of the roughly 70,000 vehicles stolen in Canada that year, about 30,000 were stolen in Ontario, according to Équité Association.

Ontario government wants to give police authority to search for, seize electronic tools used by car thieves

Auto theft 'arms race' unwinnable, enforcement key, industry reps say at Ontario summit

The downward trend to start 2026 extends across the country, the report found.

The number of stolen vehicles in Canada this year decreased by 10.1 per cent compared to this time last year, with Atlantic Canada seeing the smallest decrease (4.1 per cent) and Alberta seeing the highest (15.1 per cent), according to the report.

Auto-theft ring busted for allegedly selling stolen cars overseas: Peel police

Though Canada is now seeing auto-theft numbers trend down, Monchamp said auto manufacturers need to protect against such cyber attacks to keep them that way.

One of the main issues still enabling car theft in Canada is the use of small radio technological devices used to hack a car, he said.

"Teenagers are actually used by organized crime to steal those vehicles with technological devices that are pretty easy to obtain," said Monchamp.

"What we have [to do] is to ask the car industry to equip their vehicle with proper protection and proper cyber protections."

Manufacturers try to keep up with cyber threats

Manufacturers are doing their best to keep up with these constantly evolving cybersecurity threats, according to Global Automakers of Canada president Lucas Malinowski. The national trade association represents the Canadian interests of automotive manufacturers such as BMW Canada, Honda Canada and Kia Canada.

Malinowski said automakers are taking steps such as updating their software, installing tracking systems and adding phone connectivity to get notified when someone is tampering with your vehicle.

Justice minister says door is open to tougher penalties for auto theft

"Automakers take the cyber security of their systems very seriously so they're always looking at ways to make those systems harder to access for thieves," said Malinowski.

"We are in touch with insurers and we are in touch with law enforcement to see what vulnerabilities there may be in vehicles that are being exploited by these organized crime groups."

An Équité survey that sampled 2,503 Canadian adults between June 1 and June 8 found almost 75 per cent of Canadian respondents feel mandatory anti-theft technology in vehicles is needed. Only 18 per cent of respondents said they believed vehicles sold today can withstand modern technology-based theft tactics.

Ian Curran is a video journalist based in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He is currently participating in the 2026 CBC summer scholarship for emerging journalists working with News Network and the Toronto local bureau. He has also worked with CBC New Brunswick in the Fredericton bureau. You can contact him with story ideas at ian.curran@cbc.ca.