Ontario Fighting Auto Theft by Cracking Down on Car Thieves

BRAMPTON — As part of a series of proposed changes to protect Ontario communities by cracking down on crime, the province is proposing new legislation that would amend the Highway Traffic Act to give police the authority to search for and seize electronic devices that are intended to be used for vehicle theft. The change would provide law enforcement with stronger tools to keep keyless devices off the streets and out of the hands of would-be criminals.

 "Our community is disproportionately targeted by criminals for keyless auto theft -- a fear that has been top of mind for families across the GTA," said Stephen Lecce, MPP for King--Vaughan. "Our government is taking action by introducing new legislation that would give police the power to seize electronic devices used to steal vehicles -- stopping crime before it happens."

“No matter where you live, every family deserves peace of mind knowing their homes – and their vehicles – are safe,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “By cracking down on these illegal devices, we’re disrupting criminal activity and giving police the tools they need to stop thefts before they happen, helping keep our communities safe for everyone.”

While the combined efforts of law enforcement and government saw vehicle theft in Ontario decrease by 16 per cent in 2024, criminals are increasingly using keyless entry technology to steal cars from unsuspecting victims. If passed, the new legislation would allow police to search for and seize items that are suspected of being used to access and steal a vehicle, such as key fob programming devices, fob scanners and some smartphone applications.

“A major part of protecting Ontario is keeping our families and communities safe from the threat of crime,” said Zee Hamid, Associate Solicitor General for Auto Theft and Bail Reform. “Passing this measure will support law enforcement in safeguarding our streets, and make it easier to stop car thieves in their tracks.”

In addition, the province is permanently establishing a dedicated Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team to focus on crime hotspots across Ontario, such as Ottawa, Toronto, Brampton, Newmarket, Durham, London and Windsor. The team provides legal advice and prosecutorial support to police services and helps dismantle organized crime networks, holding offenders accountable and cracking down on carjackings and home invasions.

Quick Facts

• Devices captured by the legislation could include key fob programming devices, fob scanners and some smartphone applications. The legislation will exclude lawful use of these devices by auto dealers, repair services and roadside assistance personnel.

• Since April 2024, the Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team has taken on over 80 prosecutions and provided legal advice on over 20 major investigations across Ontario. Those matters related to more than 1700 stolen or targeted vehicles.

• The Safer Streets, Stronger Communities Act, 2024, created a provincial offence for providing a false vehicle identification number when applying for a vehicle permit with penalties of up to $100,000 and possible jail time.

  
  

Quotes

"Peel Regional Police welcomes the Ontario government's proposed legislation to help keep keyless entry devices out of the hands of criminals and further our fight against organized auto theft. Through targeted enforcement and strong partnerships, we've made significant progress in Peel — recovering nearly half of all stolen vehicles in 2025 alone, laying hundreds of charges, and seeing a 45 per cent reduction in auto theft compared to the same time last year. However, our work is not done. We are committed to continuing this momentum through collaboration with all levels of government, the industry, our board, and communities."

- Nishan Duraiappah

Chief of Police, Peel Regional Police