
IBC Urges Action as Auto Theft Claims Rise in Atlantic Canada over Past Decade, Deepening Financial Strain for Region's Drivers
HALIFAX, NS, July 14, 2025 /CNW/ - New data released by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) show that the cost of auto theft in the Atlantic region has risen dramatically over the past decade in all four provinces, especially in New Brunswick.
Despite dipping slightly in 2024, Atlantic Canada has seen an alarming increase in both the number of auto thefts and the related costs since 2014. Last year, auto theft insurance claims costs exceeded $31 million compared to $8.4 million in 2014 – a staggering 275% increase.
New Brunswick has become the auto theft capital of the region, with 788 auto theft claims in 2024 at a cost of over $16 million. Auto theft–related claims have increased 228% since 2014. Over the past decade, the three cities in Atlantic Canada with the largest increases in claims costs due to auto theft are all in New Brunswick: Saint John (520%), Moncton (746%) and Fredericton (1,672%).
"All orders of government should continue to take action on the auto theft crisis in Atlantic Canada and across the country. However, it is most critical to tackle the crisis in New Brunswick to ensure it doesn't become one of the country's primary hot spots for vehicle thefts," said Amanda Dean, Vice-President, Ontario and Atlantic, IBC. "Auto theft is not a victimless crime. A stolen car is just the tip of the iceberg. The proceeds from stolen vehicles fund organized crime, and the amount of this illicit funding is staggeringly high – and growing. The time to act is now."
Provincial data for Atlantic Canada
In 2024, Prince Edward Island saw the biggest drop (18.8%) in auto theft claims from 2023 in the region. New Brunswick saw theft claims drop by 4.8% from 2023 to 2024. In contrast, theft claims rose by 12.4% in Nova Scotia and 5.6% in Newfoundland and Labrador over the same period.
Table 1: Cities Most Affected by Auto Theft in Atlantic Canada, 2014 – 24, compared with 2023-24
Halifax
Charlottetown
Saint John
Moncton
Fredericton
Claims Count
Change
2014–24
100 %
133 %
150 %
383 %
692 %
Change
2023–24
15 %
-33 %
29 %
-6 %
-24 %
Claims Costs
Change
2014–24
233 %
438 %
520 %
746 %
1,672 %
Change
2023–24
-2 %
-19 %
18 %
-7 %
-24 %
"We need to treat vehicle theft as the national crisis that it is. It affects people and communities in every corner of the region and beyond," added Dean. "The strategies and tools to address these issues exist. They stem from the federal government's 2024 auto theft summit."
The Atlantic region's auto insurers urge provincial governments to:
Provide more resources for coordinated inter-agency enforcement
Bolster enforcement capacity, as Ontario recently did, by creating provincial auto theft teams with dedicated prosecutorial support to strengthen provincial capacity to police and deter organized crime's involvement in auto theft.
Newfoundland and Labrador has taken a positive step by implementing an Insurance Validation Program. This program allows provincial auto registries to instantly confirm that a vehicle has active insurance, deterring uninsured driving.
At the federal level, the government should continue to implement the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft, including modernizing and updating the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards to make cars harder to steal in the first place. One of the forces contributing to the decade-long increase in auto thefts is that vehicles have become easier to steal, reflecting the outdated nature of the regulations.
The government should also follow through with their platform commitment to boost the capacity of the Canada Border Services Agency to prevent stolen vehicles from exiting the country. Thefts could also be thwarted by expanding and improving the Interprovincial Record Exchange to foster better data- and information-sharing with provincial registries and close vehicle registration loopholes.
About Insurance Bureau of Canada
Established in 1964, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up the vast majority of Canada's highly competitive property and casualty (P&C) insurance market.
As the leading advocate for Canada's private P&C insurers, IBC collaborates with governments, regulators and stakeholders to support a competitive environment for the P&C insurance industry to continue to help protect Canadians from the risks of today and tomorrow.
IBC believes that Canadians value and deserve a responsive and resilient private P&C insurance industry that provides insurance solutions to both individuals and businesses.
For media releases, IN Focus articles or to book an interview with an IBC representative, visit ibc.ca. Follow us on LinkedIn, X and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC. We're here to help.
Additional Background Data
Table 2: Atlantic Canada's total auto theft costs, 2014 – 24.
SOURCE Insurance Bureau of Canada
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Cision Canada
9 hours ago
- Cision Canada
KEENON Debuts First Bipedal Humanoid Service Robot at WAIC, Showcasing Role-Specific Embodied AI Solutions
SHANGHAI, July 26, 2025 /CNW/ -- The world premiere of KEENON Robotics' bipedal humanoid service robot, XMAN-F1, takes center stage at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2025 in Shanghai from July 26 to 29, where the pioneer in embodied intelligence showcases its latest innovations on the global stage for breakthrough AI advancements. Transforming its showground into an Embodied Service Experience Hub, KEENON immerses visitors in three interactive scenarios—medical station, lounge bar, and performance space—highlighting how embodied AI solution is actively reshaping future lifestyles and industrial ecosystems. At the event, XMAN-F1 emerges as the core interactive demonstration, showcasing human-like mobility and precision in service tasks across diverse scenarios. From preparing popcorn to mixing personalized chilled beverages such as Sprite or Coke with adjustable ice levels, the robot demonstrates remarkable environmental adaptability and task execution. Scheduled stage appearances feature XMAN-F1 autonomously delivering digital presentations and product demos, powered by multimodal interaction and large language model technologies. Its fluid movements and naturalistic gestures establish it as the primary focus of attention, with visitors gathering to witness its engagement live. The demonstration spotlights further multi-robot collaboration in specialized environments. At the medical station, the humanoid XMAN-F1 partners with logistics robot M104 to create a closed-loop smart healthcare solution. The bar area features a highlight collaboration with Johnnie Walker Blue Label—the world's leading premium whisky—where robotic bartenders work alongside delivery robot T10 to craft and serve bespoke beverages. The seamless multi-robot integration not only enhances operational efficiency but signals the dawn of robotic system interoperability, moving far beyond single-task automation. According to IDC's latest report, KEENON leads the commercial service robot sector with 22.7% of global shipments and holds a definitive 40.4% share in food delivery robotics. At WAIC 2025, the company reinforces its market leadership while presenting its ecosystem-based strategy for cross-scenario embodied intelligence solutions. Looking ahead, KEENON will continue driving innovation in embodied intelligence, combining cutting-edge R&D and global partnerships to unlock the full potential of 'Robotics+' applications worldwide.


Cision Canada
16 hours ago
- Cision Canada
CGTN: How China's economy remains vibrant despite U.S. tariff war
BEIJING, July 25, 2025 /CNW/ -- With Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to hold economic and trade talks with the United States in Sweden later this month, the strength and resilience of the Chinese economy is in the limelight once again. This round of talks, mutually agreed upon by both nations, is not only a diplomatic engagement but also a testament to China's enduring economic vitality in a complex international environment. Recent statistics underscore the robustness of China's economy. In the first half of 2025, the GDP grew by an impressive 5.3 percent year on year, surpassing market expectations despite global headwinds. This number reflects more than temporary growth; it exhibits the structural resilience and adaptability of an economy that continues to evolve and upgrade. Domestic demand emerged as the cornerstone of growth, contributing 68.8 percent to GDP expansion in this period. Initiatives such as large-scale equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-in programs have effectively stimulated spending, cushioning China's economy from external shocks. In the first five months of 2025 alone, China's consumer goods trade-in program generated 1.1 trillion yuan ($153.1 billion) in sales, surpassing the figure for entire 2024. Boosted by the program, China's retail sales of consumer goods grew 5 percent year on year in the past six months – 0.4 percentage point faster than the growth recorded in the first quarter. While external uncertainties have introduced some pressure, China's trade diversification and the steady output of high-tech manufacturing and service industries have provided strong support to the economy. Though China's trade with some Western countries declined, its trade with Belt and Road partners, ASEAN countries, the European Union, and African nations saw respective increases of 4.7 percent, 9.6 percent, 3.5 percent, and 14.4 percent in the first half of 2025. This expansion of trade relationships has helped China reduce its reliance on any one market, lessening the impact of some Western economies' protectionist policies. China's resilience reverberates beyond its borders. As a crucial driver of global growth, China's steady economic performance boosts international market confidence and provides a stabilizing influence amid global uncertainties. Through continued focus on quality growth and opening up, China offers the international community a reliable engine for shared prosperity. A recent report from the U.S.-China Business Council indicates that 82 percent of American companies operating in China turned a profit in 2024. Though many cited the uncertainties in China-U.S. relations and tariffs as their main worry, the Chinese market continues to be crucial for them. Trade tensions pose obstacles, yet they have not crippled the resilience in the Chinese economy. The upcoming Beijing-Washington talks in Sweden demonstrate China's willingness to tackle differences via negotiations. While obstacles remain, China's ability to sustain growth, adapt to changing global landscapes, and engage constructively with international partners signals a future of shared opportunities and mutual advancement.

CBC
19 hours ago
- CBC
Insured losses from Jasper wildfire reach $1.3B, Insurance Bureau of Canada says
Social Sharing New wildfire damage estimates for Jasper continue to climb almost exactly one year after a wildfire destroyed about one-third of the townsite in July 2024. In a news release on Friday, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) reported that insured losses from the Jasper wildfire have risen to around $1.3 billion. The figure, calculated by Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc., shows damage cost estimates have increased by $80 million since its last report in January. Aaron Sutherland, IBC's vice-president of the Pacific and Western regions, said damage estimates have risen significantly as reconstruction of the town drags on. He said the original insured losses estimates were around $900 million. IBC said the wildfire, which destroyed 358 homes and businesses in the town, is the second-costliest fire event in Canadian history. The 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires caused $6.2 billion in damages. It reported that the summer of 2024 was the most expensive on record in Canada for catastrophic weather events. Insured damage caused by severe weather in 2024 was over $9.2 billion for the first time in Canadian history. Residents frustrated with permitting delays The release also highlighted that permitting delays are slowing the rebuild process for residents. IBC stated that, so far, 56 structures destroyed by the fire have been approved for reconstruction, and only two of those buildings are currently undergoing actual reconstruction. Sutherland said some residents are beginning to get upset with the length of the permitting process for rebuilding. "We are hearing frustration start to grow … It's been 12 months, and we only have 15 per cent of properties approved for construction." WATCH | Data shows insured losses growing for Jasper residents: New data reveals Jasper wildfire insured losses just under $1.3 billion 2 hours ago New data shows the insured losses from last year's wildfire in Jasper, Alta., are now an estimated $1.3 billion. This is an $80-million increase from the six-month estimate made earlier this year. The July 24, 2024, wildfire destroyed much of the town, and it has yet to see major reconstruction. Sutherland said one of the key factors for why it is taking so long to rebuild is the complex soil remediation process required for land where properties burned down. However, Sutherland said the federal government has stepped in and is providing $5 million in funds to cover the unexpected cost of soil testing and removal, which he said could bolster reconstruction efforts. He emphasized that it is crucial for construction to begin as soon as possible, or residents may face weather-related delays.