Auto theft trending toward ‘pre-crisis levels’ across Canada: report

Auto thefts in Canada have been on a downward trend according to a new report from Équité Association, a non-profit anti-fraud group. The study, which analyzed car theft statistics from January to June 2026, revealed a 10% decrease in reported thefts compared to the same period last year. The most significant drop was observed in Alberta, where auto thefts decreased by 15.1% year-over-year.

The report suggests that auto thefts in Canada are reaching "pre-crisis levels" not seen since before 2021, when the number of thefts surged due to a shortage of new vehicles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This shortage led to organized crime increasing auto thefts to meet global demand. Despite the encouraging decline in auto thefts, luxury vehicles continue to be targeted, and the profits are still used to fund organized crime.

Bryan Gast, national vice president of intelligence and investigations at Équité Association, emphasized the importance of continued efforts to combat auto theft. If stakeholders relax their efforts, he warned, organized crime could see an opportunity to profit from low-risk crimes. The report noted that while the first half of 2025 saw 23,093 vehicles reported stolen, this number dropped to 20,759 in the first half of 2026.

Atlantic Canada experienced the smallest reduction in reported auto thefts, with a 4.1% decrease from 910 thefts in the first half of 2025 to 873 thefts in the first half of 2026. An Angus Reid survey commissioned by Équité Association found that despite the drop in auto thefts, the majority of Canadians still believe their vehicles' anti-theft technology is inadequate.

Nearly 80% of respondents in the survey felt their vehicles were or could be vulnerable to theft, and 60% called for government-mandated anti-theft technology in new vehicles.