- 80% of Canadians feel their vehicles are vulnerable to theft, according to a recent Angus Reid survey for Équitée.
- Despite a 33% decline in auto thefts since 2023, nearly 75% of Canadians want mandatory anti-theft technology in vehicles.
- In 2024, the federal government announced a national action plan to combat auto theft, targeting organized crime.
- The Équitée Association reported that almost 47,000 vehicles were stolen in 2025, with more than a third never recovered.
- Organized crime has shifted to technology-based theft methods, making traditional security measures inadequate.
- 64% of Canadians worry about becoming victims of auto theft, highlighting a significant public concern.
- The Angus Reid survey involved 2,503 Canadian adults and was conducted in early June 2025.
Nearly 75% of Canadians demand mandatory anti-theft technology in vehicles, according to a recent Angus Reid survey commissioned by the Équitée Association.69
80% of respondents feel their vehicles are vulnerable to theft, with 64% expressing concern about becoming victims themselves.
The survey indicates that 60% of Canadians want government-mandated protections in new vehicles, while 72% believe security measures should be integrated during production rather than offered as aftermarket add-ons.
“The reality of modern auto theft is that locking your car door is no longer enough,” said Bryan Gast, Équitée’s vice president of investigative services. He noted that organized crime has shifted to technology-based theft methods, such as key fob relay attacks.7
Despite a reported 33% decline in auto thefts since 2023, the survey reveals that 35% of Canadians have been personally affected by auto theft or know someone who has.
The federal government has initiated a national action plan to combat auto theft, which includes tougher penalties and better intelligence-sharing. However, 66% of Canadians believe a coordinated response among governments, manufacturers, law enforcement, and vehicle owners is essential for meaningful progress.5
The Équitée report highlights that while vehicle thefts have decreased, the recovery rate remains low, with only 59% of stolen vehicles recovered nationally.
“We really have to move into the prevention piece,” Gast emphasized, advocating for a layered approach to vehicle safety that includes both technological and practical measures.
“Auto thefts in Canada have fallen 33% since 2023, yet almost 47,000 vehicles were stolen last year with over a third never recovered. Équité Association's Bryan Gast says 'locking your car door is no longer enough' as criminals use key fob relay attacks and reprogramming.”
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