IBC, Canadian Trucking Alliance expand cargo theft reporting initiative across Canada

The Insurance Bureau of Canada and Canadian Trucking Alliance are expanding the current Cargo Theft Reporting pilot program across the country in an effort to allow the trucking community, insurers and the authorities to better share timely information to help crack down on the crime.

Cargo crime costs Canadians up to $5 billion per year, and is an especially significant problem in transportation hubs in southern Ontario, Vancouver and Montreal, according the CTA.

Cargo crime covers a number of criminal acts including theft, fraud and hijacking. Cargo theft in particular involves networks of criminals who commit the theft and distribute the stolen goods.

The pilot program fighting cargo theft has been in Ontario and Quebec since 2011 and will now expand across Canada. All insurers in Canada and trucking association members can now report cargo theft directly to IBC through an online submission form.

IBC then will act as a clearinghouse for cargo theft data, and will collect, analyze and share information with a national network of law enforcement partners including Canadian and American border agencies. Law enforcement can ask IBC to search the database to help identify property and to speed its recovery.

“This expanded and improved reporting process will help prevent crimes and lead to faster recovery of stolen goods and prosecution of cargo theft criminals,” Garry Robertson, national director of IBC’s Investigative Services division noted in a press release.

“Cargo theft is not just a problem for trucking companies and manufacturers; it affects consumers and puts a strain on law enforcement agencies,” Peel Regional Police Superintendent Bob Devolin added in IBC’s statement.

“In order to effectively combat this growing issue, we are pleased to share the news of the expansion of this pilot project. We will continue to have a close working relationship with our law enforcement partners, IBC and CTA to recover stolen goods and fight back against this costly crime. Cargo theft is a sophisticated and organized enterprise, and we take this crime very seriously.”