Auto theft in Ontario saw an 8.4% decline in the first half of this year, as per a recent report. The report, released by Équité Association, revealed that 8,796 vehicles were stolen in the province during the initial six months of 2026, compared to 9,601 in the same period last year.
This decrease follows a national action plan implemented by the federal government in response to a significant surge in auto theft, particularly in Ontario and the Toronto region, back in 2024. The plan involved measures like improving customs intelligence, exploring new detection technologies, and regulating the distribution of radio devices used for auto theft.
Dominic Monchamp, director of investigation, intelligence, and investigative operations at Équité Association, emphasized the importance of the action plan, stating that it facilitated enhanced surveillance to combat auto theft through better coordination with law enforcement.
Despite the overall decrease in Ontario, Toronto reported an 8.8% increase in auto thefts so far this year. In contrast, by the end of 2025, auto thefts in Toronto had dropped by 32.2%, according to Nadine Ramadan, a spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service.
A few years ago, Toronto experienced over 12,000 vehicle thefts in a year, totaling $790 million in losses. Of the approximately 70,000 vehicles stolen nationwide that year, about 30,000 were from Ontario. The downward trend in auto thefts observed in the beginning of 2026 was seen across Canada, with the total number of stolen vehicles decreasing by 10.1% compared to the previous year. Alberta witnessed the highest decline at 15.1%, while Atlantic Canada saw the smallest decrease at 4.1%.
While auto theft numbers are on the decline in Canada, Monchamp stressed the need for auto manufacturers to safeguard against cyber threats to sustain this reduction. He highlighted the issue of small radio devices being used for car hacking, often by organized crime groups who recruit teenagers for this purpose.
Manufacturers are actively addressing these cybersecurity threats by updating software, incorporating tracking systems, and enabling phone connectivity for tamper alerts. Lucas Malinowski, president of Global Automakers of Canada, emphasized that automakers are continuously enhancing security measures to deter thieves and collaborating with insurers and law enforcement to identify and address vulnerabilities exploited by criminal groups.
An Équité survey conducted among 2,503 Canadian adults found that nearly 75% believe mandatory anti-theft technology in vehicles is necessary, indicating a widespread concern about vehicle security in the face of modern theft tactics.