The Ford government says it plans to suspend some driver’s licenses for people convicted of car theft offenses in legislation to be introduced later this week.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, along with Attorney General Michael Kerzner, mocked a new law proposed Tuesday, which could lead to repeat vehicle thieves having their licenses suspended for life in certain cases.
Sarkaria said the plan is to “send a message” to car thieves.
“Vehicle theft is a cowardly and often violent crime that can traumatize victims and the communities that suffer from it,” Sarkaria said.
The legislation will propose an escalating scale of license bans for people convicted by a court of auto theft, according to the province.
If passed, the government said the legislation would apply to people convicted of vehicle theft under the Criminal Code of Canada. First offenses could mean a 10-year driver’s license suspension, increasing to 15 years for a second offense and a possible lifetime ban for those convicted three times.
“License suspensions would apply to convictions in which the court determined that aggravating factors were involved in the commission of the crime, such as violence, use of a weapon, use of force, threat or pursuit of financial gain,” said a statement from press.
According to the government, when to apply the suspension, based on these criteria, would be at the discretion of a judge.
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Both Canada and Ontario have battled a growing car theft crisis in recent years, and a national summit on the issue was convened earlier this year.
Until now, the Ford government has focused much of its efforts on petitioning the federal government to make it more difficult for thieves to take stolen cars out of the country where they can be sold.
Ontario also unveiled funding in 2023 to help local police forces step up law enforcement and launched an OPP-led task force. In the 2024 budget, the province announced funding to purchase four helicopters from police forces that can be used to pursue and locate stolen vehicles.
“Under Premier Ford’s leadership, our government is taking bold steps to stop what is serious and often violent crime,” Kerzner said Tuesday. “Criminals who want to steal a car in Ontario should know that there will be serious consequences for doing so.”
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown called the threat of license suspensions a “crucial tool” in combating auto theft. Peel Region President Nando Iannicca said the proposed law would “help deter car theft”.
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah has said Brampton and Mississauga have the highest car thefts per capita in the province. Data from the force’s website suggests an average of 20 vehicles have been reported stolen daily in the two cities since the start of the year.
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Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca also praised the plan.
“I want to thank the provincial government for its efforts to address auto theft head-on,” he said in a statement distributed by the government.
“Many Vaughan residents have had their vehicles stolen and we have a duty to protect them and their property. Introducing escalating license suspensions for offenders who steal cars is a great example of the type of innovative sanctioning we need.”
Opposition parties, on the other hand, are less convinced, suggesting that people willing to steal vehicles are unlikely to fear a license suspension.
“If you’re not worried about getting caught, with jail sentences, I’m not sure you’re worried about your license being suspended or stopping you from stealing another car,” said Ontario Liberal MP John Fraser.
“As a punishment they look great, as a measure to prevent it I am sure it will be effective.”
Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles said she wanted to see the proposed bill before making a decision on it.
“Like most things this government does, some adjustments will need to be made,” he said.
“We need to do something. I just want to say again that there are some things that the government is not considering, for example technical measures that they should talk to manufacturers about that would make it more difficult for theft to occur in the first place.”
The legislation, which will also increase penalties for people convicted of stunt driving, will be introduced on Thursday.
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