MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 16,
2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc,
Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and
Intergovernmental Affairs, announced the deployment of a mobile
X-ray scanner to the Greater Toronto
Area (GTA). This technology will increase the examination of
containers in Ontario.
This is one of the initiatives being undertaken as part of the
National Action Plan Combatting Auto Theft, which focuses on
disrupting, dismantling, and prosecuting the organized criminal
groups behind auto theft. The Government of Canada continues to explore solutions and to
identify the most efficient methods in the interception of stolen
vehicles, including using non-intrusive inspection
technology to assist in examinations and seizures.
Auto theft is impacting Canadians, particularly in our urban
centres. It increasingly involves organized crime groups, who are
using the proceeds of those thefts to fund other illegal
activities. There is no single solution to this complex problem.
Through the Government of Canada's
national leadership, and cooperation between governments, industry
and law enforcement, we are beginning to see results – and the
Government of Canada intends to
build on them.
Border services officers conduct daily export examination and
select containers of interest for secondary examination at docks or
warehouses. The CBSA acts on 100% of referrals received from the
police and also conducts searches based on its own
intelligence. So far in 2024, the CBSA has intercepted more
than 1,300 stolen vehicles in railyards and ports, including 452 in
the GTA.
Quotes
"The addition of this scanner in the GTA will provide border
services officers with an additional tool to detect stolen vehicles
before they can leave the country. We'll keep taking action to
crack down on auto theft and the organized crime groups behind
it."
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety,
Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs
"Today, we're taking a significant step forward in our work to
combat auto theft in Ontario. By
harnessing cutting-edge technology to enhance container
examinations, we're bolstering our ability to disrupt and dismantle
organized criminal groups. We remain committed to leveraging the
most effective methods to intercept stolen vehicles and keep our
communities safe."
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the
King's Privy Council for Canada
and Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for
the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada
"Communities across Ontario,
including Oakville, are
disproportionately impacted by the rise in auto-theft. To protect
the safety and security of Canadians, we are kicking into gear
federal strategies to stop auto-theft. By utilizing advanced
technology to improve container inspections here in the GTA and
across the country, we are helping to break up organized crime
networks and intercept stolen vehicles."
The Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury
Board
"Our Government is taking real leadership to stop auto-theft,
here in Brampton and across the
country. We have invested millions of dollars in our National
Action Plan Combatting Auto Theft, equipping the police and
security agencies with the resources they need to stop auto theft.
With this new X-ray scanning technology, we will be able to
intercept even more stolen vehicles."
The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion
and Persons with Disabilities
"Auto theft is a serious and often violent crime that
cannot be tolerated. The government of Ontario has long advocated for enhanced
measures on our streets and in our ports and rail yards to help
curb the trade of stolen vehicles. New X-ray scanners are needed at
our critical rail yards and ports to stop the illegal export of
stolen cars from Ontario and
Canada."
The Honourable Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General of
Ontario
"I extend my sincere gratitude to the federal government and
minister Dominic LeBlanc, for announcing the deployment of a
mobile X-ray scanner in the Greater
Toronto Area. This tool will significantly aid in our
ongoing efforts to combat the scourge of auto thefts in
Brampton. My recent visit to the
Port of Newark with Peel Regional
Police highlighted the effectiveness of advanced scanning
technologies in preventing the export of stolen vehicles. The
success of jurisdictions using this technology demonstrates that we
can protect property and disrupt organized crime networks. By
adopting similar measures, Canada
can make significant strides in addressing auto theft. Thank you
again to Minister LeBlanc and the Government of Canada for listening to our concerns and
taking this important step."
His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor of the City Brampton
"The CBSA continues to work closely with our police partners on
the interception and seizure of stolen vehicles from marine
containers before they leave the GTA Region. The deployment
of this technology will further support our collective enforcement
efforts."
Lisa Janes, Regional Director
General (Greater Toronto Area),
Canada Border Services Agency
"Auto theft is a serious crime that directly affects the safety
of our communities. The RCMP is fully engaged with our domestic and
international partners who share a common goal of disrupting and
combatting auto theft and ensuring that the criminals are held to
account."
Mike Duheme, Commissioner of
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Quick Facts
- Photo and videos of stolen cars intercepted by the CBSA as well
as of the X-ray scanner are available to media.
- On May 20, 2024, the Government
of Canada unveiled the National
Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft.
- Funding from Budget 2024 will be used to enhance collaboration
and information sharing with partners across Canada and internationally to identify and
arrest those who are perpetrating these crimes.
- The number of stolen vehicles intercepted and detained since
2018 is available on our website: Canada Border Services Agency
enforcement action statistics (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca).
Associated Links
- National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft
- Backgrounder: National Action Plan on Combatting Auto
Theft
- Canada Border Services Agency enforcement action
statistics
- 598 Vehicles recovered as a result of Project Vector
- CBSA prevents 72 stolen vehicles from being smuggled out of
Port of Montreal
SOURCE Canada Border Services Agency