Ontario Introducing Stiff Penalties to Combat Auto Theft

 The Ontario government is cracking down on auto theft by introducing legislation that, if passed, would suspend driver’s licences for people convicted of the crime. With auto thefts and carjackings on the rise across the province, the legislation would help deter potential thieves and make it more challenging for criminals to re-offend.

“Car theft is a cowardly and often violent crime that can traumatize victims and communities who experience it,” said Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is sending a clear message to those who commit these crimes and using every tool in our toolbox to keep them off our streets.”

Under the proposed legislation, thieves convicted of motor vehicle theft under the Criminal Code would face a 10-year licence suspension for a first offence, a 15-year licence suspension for a second offence and a lifetime licence suspension for a third offence. Licence suspensions would apply to convictions where the court found that aggravating factors were involved in the commission of the offence, such as violence, use of a weapon, use of force, threat, or pursuit of financial gain.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is taking bold action to stop what is a serious and often violent crime,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “Criminals who want to steal a car in Ontario need to know there will be severe consequences for doing so.”

In addition to stiff penalties for auto theft, the province is also proposing to strengthen penalties for stunt driving. The proposed legislation would ensure that anyone convicted of stunt driving receives a minimum mandatory licence suspension – one year for a first conviction, three years for a second conviction and a lifetime suspension, reducible to 10 years under certain criteria, for a third conviction.

“Convicted auto thieves and violent carjackers do not deserve the privilege of driving on Ontario’s roads. Ontario’s 1,100 new car and truck retailers support the Ontario government’s approach to punishing these criminals with a lifetime driver’s licence suspension for people convicted of a third offence. This legislation is another example showing how focussed and committed Premier Ford and his government are to fighting auto theft.”

Frank Notte
Director of Government Relations, Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario

“I applaud the provincial government for introducing this legislation to help deter auto theft. In Peel, car thefts continue to be a growing problem, and in Brampton and Mississauga, have increased by 187 per cent between 2019 and 2023. Peel Region and Peel Regional Police are committed to working with the provincial government to tackle auto theft and identify and implement solutions to keep our communities safe.”

Nando Iannicca
Regional Chair of Peel Region and Chair of Peel Police Services Board