Car Thefts in Canada Again Dropped in First Half of 2025

After an 18.6-percent drop in car thefts across Canada in 2024, the trend continues into 2025, a sign that the various measures adopted last year are working.

According to the latest report released by Équité Association, which specializes in insurance crime and fraud prevention, there’s been a 19.1-percent decrease in the theft of passenger vehicles nationally compared to the same period in 2024.

• Also: Canada Now Has a National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft
• Also: Ottawa Adds Another $15 Million to Car Theft Prevention Efforts

The largest decreases were noted in Ontario (-25.9 percent) and Quebec (-22.2 percent), provinces that previously experienced the highest auto theft rates. The situation also keeps improving in the West, particularly in Alberta, and in Atlantic Canada, as shown in the following table:

“Canada is a safer place today than it was at the height of the auto theft crisis (between 2021 and 2023),” says Terri O’Brien, President and CEO of Équité Association. “Auto theft returning to pre-crisis levels demonstrates that the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft has been instrumental in implementing comprehensive strategies to protect Canadians from the organized crime behind the auto theft crisis.”

While the numbers for the first half of 2025 are encouraging, the fight is far from over, warns her colleague Bryan Gast, National VP of Investigative Services.

“Équité recently participated on the UL Standards & Engagement Advisory Committee to collaboratively shape and publish the first harmonized Canada-US Standard for Vehicle Theft Deterrent Equipment and Systems. The next step is to put this new standard into action to prevent vehicles from being stolen in the first place and reduce auto theft on both sides of the border.”

The report from Équité Association also highlights concerns about evolving criminal strategies. Investigators have observed a shift towards criminals stealing vehicles destined for chop shops and re-VINs, hindering recovery efforts.