New Stolen Vehicle Law Passes House and Senate

Major Advocacy Victory for CADA

OTTAWA, Nov. 8 /CNW/ - The House of Commons and the Senate have both passed a revolutionary new Bill "Tackling Auto Theft and Property Crime Act" also known as S-9.  The Bill has long been an advocacy objective of the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) as it takes aim at organized crimes expanding role in stolen vehicles thefts.  Specifically the Bill:

• creates a separate offence of "theft of a motor vehicle", which carries a mandatory prison sentence of 6 months for conviction of a third or subsequent offence when the prosecutor proceeds by indictment;
• establishes a new offence for altering, destroying or removing a vehicle identification number (VIN);
• makes it an offence to traffic in property obtained by crime; and,
• makes it an offence to possess such property for the purpose of trafficking.
• In addition, the Tackling Auto Theft and Property Crime Act will allow the Canada Border Services Agency to detain suspected stolen property before it is exported from the country, which will reduce the exportation of stolen vehicles from Canada by organized crime

"CADA commends the hard work of the Honourable Rob Nicholson, M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada," commented Richard Gauthier, President and CEO of CADA.  "Minister Nicholson and his Conservative Caucus members pushed hard for this legislation and deserve real credit for listening to dealers and average Canadians concerned about auto theft," added Gauthier.

CADA has fought an extended advocacy campaign for the provisions in this Bill, including testimony before the House of Commons Justice Committee, membership in the Business Advisory Council to the Minister of Justice, and countless meetings with MPs.  "CADA would like to formally thank the Minister of Justice and the Prime Minister for making this a priority. Bill S-9 provides tough action on auto theft and we need to thank all parliamentarians who supported the bill," added CADA Chairman Luc Duval.

Auto theft cost the Canadian Economy over $1 Billion per year and the rate of stolen vehicle theft has traditionally been higher in Canada than even the United States.  Countless dealers have been victimized by car theft rings and every dealership has paid the price in increased insurance premiums.

The legislation will receive Royal Assent in the coming days and the Tackling Auto Theft and Property Crime Act will come into force shortly but allows the provinces and territories time to prepare for the changes.

The Canadian Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) is the national association for franchised automobile dealerships that sell new cars and trucks. Our 3,300 dealers represent a key sector of Canada's economy. Through our dealers, we are represented in nearly every community and those dealers collectively employ over 130,000 people across the country.

For further information:

Huw Williams
CADA Public Affairs
Telephone : [phone]
Email : [email protected]