With auto theft representing an ongoing concern throughout Canada, the federal government aims to do something about it.

Its latest step in that direction is the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, legislation introduced in Parliament that would strengthen bail and sentencing laws for auto theft cases and related organized crime activities.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Sean Fraser said the bill includes “sweeping reforms,” including “over 80 clauses of targeted changes that will make bail harder to get while also toughening sentencing laws for repeat and violent offenders.”

In 2024, the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted 2,277 stolen vehicles in railyards and ports — a jump of more than 25% from the previous year — and has recovered 1,185 so far this year. Overall, the Équité Association reported more than 57,000 car thefts last year, down from 2023’s record 70,475 but still an “unreasonably high” number.

The proposed legislation would make bail laws stricter for all cases of auto theft, and would create reverse onuses for violent and organized crime-related auto theft, among other offences, meaning offenders would need to prove why they should obtain bail.

Sentencing laws would also become tougher for repeat and violent crimes, including car theft and extortion, with those found guilty likely spending more time in prison. The bill would require consecutive sentences for violent auto theft and breaking and entering, and would allow for consecutive sentences for repeat violent offending, making offenders of multiple crimes serve their sentences back-to-back rather than at the same time.

The bill would also add aggravating factors to allow for increased sentences for organized retail theft and offenses interfering with essential infrastructures, and for any organized crime-related offense, courts would be required to consider a sentence that “reflects society’s disapproval of the crime and deters the offender and others” from committing that crime.

Auto theft has been the target of Canadian law enforcement for the past several years as the number of incidents rose to unprecedented levels. That includes the government’s $1.3 billion border plan to fight against organized crime, the illegal fentanyl trade and money laundering, which have long been tied to auto theft, and its National Action Plan on Combating Auto Theft in collaboration with provincial and local governments, law enforcement and the private sector.

Beginning in early 2024, Canada has invested $15 million to bolster law enforcement efforts targeting auto theft and support a coordinated domestic and international response to this crime. The CBSA also received $28 million to increase its capacity to identify and search shipping containers for stolen vehicles, as well as exploring technology solutions, sharing intelligence and collaborating with domestic partners to recover stolen vehicles.