Significant declines reported in Ontario and Quebec
Auto thefts across Canada fell sharply in the first half of 2025, according to a new report from Équité Association, marking a major shift after years of rising incidents. The group, which monitors insurance crime, reported 23,094 private vehicles stolen—a 19% drop compared to the same period in 2024.
The decline was especially notable in Ontario and Quebec, where thefts plummeted by 25.9% and 22.2%, respectively. These provinces had previously ranked among the hardest hit during the surge between 2021 and 2023.
Authorities, insurers credited for progress
Équité praised coordinated efforts by law enforcement, insurance providers, and multiple levels of government for driving the reduction. Last year’s national summit on auto theft and the federal government’s $28 million allocation to the Canada Border Services Agency were cited as pivotal actions.
Terri O’Brien, Équité’s president and CEO, said, “Canada is a safer place today than it was at the height of the auto theft crisis.” Still, experts caution that criminal tactics continue to evolve.
Mixed regional results and remaining challenges
While the national numbers show progress, some regions saw more modest gains. Atlantic Canada posted a 9% decrease, while Western Canada declined by 9.4%. Alberta, however, outpaced the western average with a 12.5% reduction in thefts.
Despite the improvements, 44% of vehicles stolen in 2025 remain unrecovered. The national recovery rate climbed slightly to 56.5%, up from 53.1% in 2024, suggesting that recovery efforts are slowly improving but still leave room for concern.
Criminal tactics adapt to enforcement
Équité warns that organized theft groups continue to use sophisticated methods. These include the use of “re-VINs,” where a stolen vehicle’s original VIN is replaced with a fraudulent one to facilitate resale or export. Other vehicles are dismantled in chop shops and sold for parts, a market made more appealing by ongoing U.S. tariffs on steel and autos.
“The fight is far from over,” said Bryan Gast, Équité’s VP of investigative services. He emphasized that as enforcement improves, so do the tactics of those involved in the auto theft trade.
