Canada passes legislation cracking down on auto theft, trafficking in stolen property

Parliament has passed new legislation aimed at getting tougher on auto theft and trafficking in stolen property such as cars.
The legislation is expected to receive Royal Assent imminently.
“Auto theft costs Canadians over $1 billion each year and helps make organized crime profitable,” federal justice minister Rob Nicholson said in a press release announcing the passage of Bill S-9, Tackling Auto Theft and Property Crime Act. “Our government has taken strong action to protect the property of Canadians, and ensure our communities are not endangered by the reckless driving which often results from auto theft.”
The new legislation includes provisions that:

• create a separate offence of “theft of a motor vehicle,” which carries a mandatory prison sentence of six months for conviction of a third or subsequent offence when the prosecutor proceeds by indictment;
• establish a new offence for altering, destroying or removing a vehicle identification number (VIN);
• make it an offence to traffic in property obtained by crime; and,
• make it an offence to possess such property for the purpose of trafficking.

In addition, the act will allow the Canada Border Services Agency to detain suspected stolen property before it is exported from the country, which is intended to reduce the exportation of stolen vehicles from Canada by organized crime.
“The best way to combat gangs and organized crime is to tackle the illicit activities which make these groups profitable,” said Nicholson. “This legislation does just that and will play an important part in our ongoing commitment to the safety and security of communities across Canada.”