Updating Canada’s theft protection options for new vehicles

Across Canada, there has been a notable increase in motor vehicle theft and perpetrators are using increasingly sophisticated tactics. Recognizing the profound implications of vehicle theft on our communities, it is imperative that we look at ways to improve requirements related to theft prevention and anti-theft devices. As theft methods are rapidly evolving, Transport Canada is seeking your input on our strategies to combat this issue.

Currently, the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations do not address theft for-profit associated with organized crime. Instead, the regulations approach vehicle theft through a safety lens and outline measures for theft prevention through the use of locking and immobilization systems and describe their specified designs and performance criteria. The introduction of immobilizer requirements in 2005, aimed to mitigate the risk of fatalities, injuries, and property damage associated with the use of a stolen vehicle. This proactive measure was in response to incidents involving young offenders stealing vehicles for joyriding, which often resulted in collisions, serious injuries, and death. However, theft for-profit associated with organized crime is outside the scope of the Minister’s authority under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and, as a result, no existing regulations address this type of theft.

To meet immobilizer requirements, companies must install systems that meet one of the four options listed in the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 114. Currently, the CMVSS 114 only references specific versions and, therefore, the most recent versions of the standard options do not apply. Updating CMVSS 114 to adopt the latest versions or remove obsolete options, would require companies to update their compliance documents and potentially their immobilization systems to reflect the updated standard. While these changes could support the overall approach to combatting auto theft, this would place additional burden on affected companies, requiring resource allocation, regulatory compliance, and changes in manufacturing processes.

Another potential avenue to explore includes the creation of non-binding agreements (such as a Memorandum of Understanding or Letters of Commitment) between Transport Canada and vehicle manufacturers. These agreements would be limited, however, as they would be voluntary in nature and lack enforceability.

Given that several jurisdictions worldwide are grappling with vehicle theft, Transport Canada has undertaken a scan of vehicle theft prevention standards in Canada and in other countries – namely, the United States, Great Britain, France, Germany, Australia, and Japan – to better understand their respective approaches to combatting theft through vehicle standards. The scan found that Canada is generally in line with other countries in terms of its mandatory theft prevention requirements. While the inclusion of multiple options to comply with Canada’s CMVSS 114 offers more flexibility to meet the immobilization system requirements, these options are consistent with those standards adopted by other countries. This promotes harmonization and shows that Canada is in step with the international community when it comes to theft protection and anti-theft measures.

While there are several potential solutions to combat auto theft, it is important to acknowledge the limits that come with these proposals. Vehicle theft is a complex issue that does not have a simple solution. Transport Canada does not have jurisdiction over aftermarket products; instead, provincial and territorial governments are responsible for overseeing the installation of aftermarket equipment.

Transport Canada is seeking your feedback on our possible approach to reducing vehicle theft in Canada. Please read on to find out how you can provide your views.

For further information, please refer to our background document.

Please note that any changes to regulatory requirements will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part II, when final.

We want to hear from you

We want to hear from stakeholders and the Canadian public. Your feedback is important! Please provide your feedback on eight questions: three questions on theft protection options for new vehicles (see questions in the discussion forum) and five questions on vehicle immobilizers (see questions in the background document).

How to participate

There are three ways to participate:

1. Choose “Register” at the top of the page, and join the discussion under the “Have Your Say” tab. The forum will be open until July 19, 2024.
2. You can also submit your comments in a Word or PDF document through the “Submissions” tab by July 19, 2024.
3. Or you can email us your comments at RegulationsClerk-ASFB-Commisauxreglements@tc.gc.ca, and include “Theft Protection Informal Consultation” in the subject line.

If you provide comments via a document submission or an e-mail, as set out in sections 19 and 20 of the Access to Information Act, be sure to identify any parts of your comments that we shouldn’t make public if they include personal information or third-party information. Explain why your comments should be kept private, and for how long.

Unless you specify that a section is private, it may be included in any regulatory proposal that Transport Canada publishes in the Canada Gazette.