Auto theft in Ontario has dropped by 8.4% in the first half of this year, as reported by a recent study. The Équité Association’s report revealed that 8,796 vehicles were stolen in the province during the initial six months of 2026, compared to 9,601 in the same period last year.
This decline follows the implementation of a national action plan in 2024 by the federal government in response to the significant increase in auto theft, particularly in Ontario and the Toronto area. The plan involved measures such as bolstering customs intelligence, exploring new detection technologies, and regulating the distribution of radio devices used for auto theft.
According to Dominic Monchamp, the director of investigation, intelligence, and investigative operations at Équité Association, the action plan played a crucial role. He noted that there was increased surveillance to combat auto theft, leading to improved coordination with law enforcement agencies.
However, despite the overall decrease in Ontario, Toronto has experienced an 8.8% rise in auto thefts this year. In contrast, by the end of 2025, Toronto had seen a 32.2% reduction in auto thefts, according to Nadine Ramadan, a spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service.
Just three years ago, Toronto witnessed over 12,000 vehicle thefts within a year, totaling $790 million in value, as reported by the Toronto police. Of the approximately 70,000 vehicles stolen across Canada that year, around 30,000 were from Ontario, as stated by Équité Association.
The downward trend in vehicle thefts extends nationwide in 2026, with Canada reporting a 10.1% decrease in stolen vehicles compared to the previous year. The report indicates that Alberta saw the highest drop at 15.1%, while Atlantic Canada had the smallest decrease at 4.1%.
Despite the positive trend, there remains a concern regarding cyber attacks enabling car theft in Canada. Monchamp highlighted the use of small radio technological devices by organized crime groups to steal vehicles, emphasizing the need for enhanced cyber protection in vehicles.
Manufacturers are actively addressing cybersecurity threats by updating software, incorporating tracking systems, and enhancing connectivity features to alert owners of potential tampering. Lucas Malinowski, the president of Global Automakers of Canada, emphasized that automakers are continuously improving security measures to deter thieves.
A recent survey by Équité revealed that nearly 75% of Canadian respondents believe mandatory anti-theft technology in vehicles is necessary, with only 18% expressing confidence in the current vehicle security against modern theft tactics.