- Ontario auto thefts decreased by 8.4% in the first half of 2026, with 8,796 vehicles stolen compared to 9,601 during the same period last year.
- Toronto saw an 8.8% rise in auto thefts in the first half of 2026, according to police reports.
- National auto thefts decreased by 10.1% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year.
- In 2024, the federal government implemented an action plan to combat the rising auto theft rates, which included enhancing customs intelligence and exploring new detection technologies.
- In 2025, auto thefts in Toronto decreased by 32.2% by year end, according to Toronto Police Service.
Auto theft in Ontario decreased by 8.4% in the first half of 2026, with 8,796 vehicles stolen compared to 9,601 last year, according to a report by Équité Association.
Despite this provincial decline, Toronto saw an 8.8% rise in auto thefts, raising concerns among law enforcement.3
Toronto Police Service spokesperson Nadine Ramadan noted, "It's challenging to attribute these trends to a single factor," emphasizing the need for collaboration with partners like Équité Association to combat these crimes.
The report also highlighted a national trend, with auto thefts in Canada down by 10.1% this year, although regions like Atlantic Canada saw only a 4.1% decrease.
Dominic Monchamp, director at Équité Association, stated that an action plan involving enhanced surveillance and law enforcement coordination was crucial.5
He warned that cybersecurity vulnerabilities in vehicles remain a significant issue, as organized crime increasingly employs teenagers to exploit these weaknesses.
Monchamp urged automakers to implement better protections against such cyber attacks, while industry representatives confirmed ongoing efforts to enhance vehicle security.
The report reflects a broader response to a surge in auto thefts in recent years, particularly in Ontario and Toronto, prompting federal initiatives to improve detection technologies and customs intelligence.
“The report from Équité Association, published last month, counted 8,796 vehicles stolen in Ontario versus 9,601 a year earlier. Nationally, thefts fell 10.1%, with Alberta down 15.1% and Atlantic Canada down 4.1%, while Toronto police reported an 8.8% increase.”
