Latest news with #TerriO'Brien
Global News
a day ago
- Automotive
- Global News
Auto theft in Canada fell 19% in 1st half of 2025, industry group says
Canadians saw fewer auto thefts in the first half of this year compared to a year ago, according to a new report by Équité Association. The industry group, which focuses on insurance crime and fraud prevention, reported 23,094 private passenger vehicles stolen in the first six months of this year — a drop of 19 per cent compared to 2024. 'Canada is a safer place today than it was at the height of the auto theft crisis,' said Terri O'Brien, Équité's president and CEO. The report goes on to commend action by governments of all levels, law enforcement and the insurance industry, saying it helped to contribute to the decrease. The biggest drop in auto theft was found in Ontario and Quebec, the report shows, with a 25.9 per cent and 22.2 per cent drop, respectively. Story continues below advertisement Those two provinces saw some of the highest rates between 2021 and 2023, Équité notes. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Some provinces saw a smaller drop, however, with Atlantic Canada seeing a nine per cent drop and Western Canada experiencing a 9.4 per cent decrease. The report did specify that Alberta's auto theft decreased by 12.5 per cent. 2:00 Province cracks down on auto theft with new legislation Équité's numbers are in line with a recent report from Statistics Canada last week, which saw a 17 per cent drop in the rate of motor vehicle theft since 2023. That drop followed a three-year rise in police-reported car thefts. Last year, the federal government convened a national summit on fighting auto theft and published a plan to curb the problem, including giving the Canada Border Services Agency $28 million to tackle the rising rates. Story continues below advertisement 'Canadians have endured the significant impacts of vehicle crime, and while these first half of 2025 numbers are encouraging, the fight is far from over,' said Bryan Gast, Équité's national vice-president, investigative services. The national recovery rate for the first half of the year was 56.5 per cent, up from 53.1 per cent last year. But nationally, 44 per cent of vehicles stolen in 2025 remain uncovered. The report points out, as Gast notes, those involved in auto thefts 'continue to evolve their tactics,' including stealing vehicles bound for 'chop shops' or using re-VINs. A re-VIN occurs when the original vehicle identification number (VIN) is replaced with a new, fraudulent number that can help in the illegal resale or export, according to Équité. Équité also suggests the uncertainty created by continued automotive and steel tariffs currently imposed by the U.S. could result in the automotive market for used and after-market parts becoming more lucrative for criminals.
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Hamilton Spectator
Auto thefts drop more than 25 per cent in Ontario, says new insurance industry report
Vehicle theft in Ontario has dropped 25.9 per cent compared to a year ago as drivers learn to safeguard their vehicles and authorities work more closely together, the Équité́ Association insurance industry group says. That's even better than the 19.1 per cent national drop from a year ago, a newly released report from the group says. 'Canada is a safer place today than it was at the height of the auto theft crisis,' says Terri O'Brien, President and Chief Executive Officer of Équité́ Association, a private group funded by insurance agencies. The report notes Quebec has seen a 22.2 per cent decrease in auto theft over the past year. 'Canadians have endured the significant impacts of vehicle crime, and while these first half of 2025 numbers are encouraging, the fight is far from over,' Bryan Gast of the group's Investigative Services department said. The drop in thefts across Canada is a dramatic turnaround from 2023, when Équité́ labelled auto theft a national crisis and advocated for greater information sharing between numerous federal and provincial government ministries, law enforcement, insurers and industry stakeholders. 'The trend is continuing downward after the peak of the crisis,' Gast said. Équité́ has pushed for drivers to take measures like employing tracking devices and steering wheel locks on their vehicles, and parking in well lit areas or in driveways. The report notes that criminals have also adapted. Thieves now focus more on stealing vehicles destined for chop shops, where they are sometimes reconfigured and outfitted with new Vehicle Identification Numbers, hindering recovery efforts. The Équité́ report says that 44 per cent of vehicles stolen so far this year remain unrecovered as criminals move toward selling vehicles to chop shops. 'As automotive and steel tariffs continue to create uncertainty, the market for used and aftermarket parts may become more lucrative,' the Équité́ report says. 'The national auto theft decrease (-19.1%) reflects the successes of Équité́'s partnerships with law enforcement, RCMP, CBSA and INTERPOL, as well as the leadership and investments from PSC and provincial governments across Canada,' the report says. 'Evolving tactics to identify new funding sources in vehicle crime are emerging, according to Équité́ investigators,' the report states. 'The prevalence of chop shops continues; however domestic chop shops are now expanding and shipping parts to international markets.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Équité Association Releases First Half 2025 Auto Theft Trend Report: National Decline Signals Progress, Continued Vigilance Crucial as Criminal Tactics Evolve Français
TORONTO, July 28, 2025 /CNW/ - Équité Association, the national authority on insurance crime and fraud prevention, today released its First Half of 2025 Auto Theft Trend Report, revealing a 19.1% national decrease in the theft of private passenger vehicles, compared to the same period in 2024. "Canada is a safer place today than it was at the height of the auto theft crisis," says Terri O'Brien, President and Chief Executive Officer of Équité Association. "Auto theft returning to pre-crisis levels demonstrates the effectiveness of Équité's unified voice on behalf of our members. Led by Public Safety Canada, with solution-focused recommendations from Équité, the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft has been instrumental in implementing comprehensive strategies to protect Canadians from the organized crime behind the auto theft crisis. Minimizing the impact of auto theft on honest, hardworking Canadians was a key goal of the insurance industry, and the report data shows we are making meaningful progress towards that goal." The report notes significant decreases in Ontario (-25.9%) and Quebec (-22.2%), provinces that previously experienced the highest auto theft rates from 2021-2023. * Compared to the same period of 2024 "Canadians have endured the significant impacts of vehicle crime, and while these first half of 2025 numbers are encouraging, the fight is far from over," says Bryan Gast, National Vice President, Investigative Services. "Équité recently participated on the UL Standards & Engagement Advisory Committee to collaboratively shape and publish the first harmonized Canada-US Standard for Vehicle Theft Deterrent Equipment and Systems. The next step is to put this new standard into action to prevent vehicles from being stolen in the first place and reduce auto theft on both sides of the border." The report also highlights concerns about evolving criminal strategies. Équité investigators have observed a shift towards criminals stealing vehicles destined for chop shops and re-VINs, hindering recovery efforts. Équité remains committed to enhancing its investigative expertise and technology to make a meaningful impact on combatting insurance crime and protecting honest, hardworking Canadians. About Équité Association As the national authority on insurance crime and fraud prevention, Équité Association is a not-for-profit organization supporting Canadian property and casualty (P&C) insurers. Équité combats the insurance crime problem that takes advantage of vulnerable Canadians by deploying advanced analytics, intelligence best practices, and coordinated investigations. Delivering improved service and fraud analytics for vehicle, property, and cargo recovery to its members, Équité collaborates with law enforcement, partners and industry organizations to protect Canadians against exploitation.
