Recently, Zachary Sesliani, a resident of Montreal, discovered his car was missing. This incident is part of a larger trend of increasing car thefts in Canada, a phenomenon that has been labeled a “national crisis” by the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Stolen vehicles in Canada are often shipped from Montreal’s busy port to be sold overseas.
The Nature of Car Thefts
Zachary Sesliani noted that there were no signs at the scene, suggesting the thieves operated with precision. He suspects they used sophisticated devices capable of not only unlocking car doors but also starting the engine. Over recent months, thousands of vehicles have been stolen from cities in Quebec and Ontario, the two most populous provinces in the country.
Most of these stolen cars end up in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. In some cases, police or owners have managed to recover the vehicles using tracking sensors installed in the cars or trucks.
Statistics and Hotspots
Montreal and Toronto have reported the highest number of car thefts. From 2021 to 2023, Toronto saw a 150% increase in car and truck thefts compared to the previous six years. During the same period, car thefts in Quebec rose by 58%, and in Ontario, by 48%. The thefts mostly occur at night from outside homes while owners are asleep, though some cars are stolen at gunpoint.
In one case, a truck operator in Ottawa was arrested for attempting to steal a vehicle.
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Impact on Insurance
Experts link the rise in car thefts to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted global supply chains and limited vehicle production. This shortage increased the demand for cars, making them lucrative targets for thieves. Yannick Desmarais, a spokesperson for the Montreal police, told AFP that organized crime networks are behind most of these thefts, driven by the need to supply foreign markets.
Organized Crime and Increased Incidents
Federal police statistics reveal a 62% increase in car thefts by organized crime groups in 2023 compared to 2022. The involvement of these sophisticated networks highlights the scale and organization behind the surge in vehicle thefts.
Reasons Behind the Surge
- Global Supply Chain Disruptions: The pandemic severely disrupted global supply chains, reducing the availability of new vehicles. This scarcity has driven up demand, making stolen cars a profitable enterprise for organized crime networks.
- High Demand in International Markets: Stolen cars are often shipped to foreign markets where they fetch high prices. Regions like Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East are common destinations for these vehicles.
- Technological Advancements in Theft: Thieves now use advanced technology to bypass car security systems. Devices that can unlock doors and start engines remotely are becoming more common, making it easier for criminals to steal vehicles without leaving traces.
- Increased Sophistication of Crime Networks: Organized crime groups have become more sophisticated, employing strategies and technologies that make it difficult for authorities to track and recover stolen vehicles. These networks often have international connections, facilitating the easy movement of stolen cars across borders.
Measures and Responses
To combat this growing problem, Canadian authorities are enhancing their efforts to track and intercept stolen vehicles. This includes better coordination with international law enforcement agencies, improving surveillance at key ports, and using advanced tracking technologies.
Conclusion
The rise in car thefts in Canada, particularly in major cities like Montreal and Toronto, reflects broader global trends exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions in vehicle production and global supply chains have increased the demand for cars, making them prime targets for organized crime networks.
As authorities grapple with this national crisis, it becomes clear that a multi-faceted approach involving technological upgrades, international cooperation, and public awareness is crucial to tackling this issue. The Canadian government and law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to curb this trend and protect citizens from the impact of organized car theft operations.