Is Canada a ‘source nation’ for auto theft? What the summit heard

With the number of stolen cars in Canada skyrocketing, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is considering stiffer penalties for auto theft.

This comes as experts warn Canada is increasingly a “source nation” for stolen vehicles and after Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also proposed this week to crack down on what’s become a national epidemic.

Trudeau raised the possibility of harsher punishments during his opening remarks at the national summit on combatting on auto theftThursday in Ottawa.

“First things first, we need to stop these criminals who are part of the gangs and organized crime,” Trudeau said.

“We’re also looking at further strengthening penalties for anyone who participates in auto theft.”

The prime minister floated the possibility as the Liberals face increasing public pressure to tackle the issue. Trudeau also took a swipe at Poilievre saying a “catchy slogan” and a “two-minute YouTube video” won’t fix the issue.

On Monday, Poilievre vowed to “secure our ports and lock up the car thieves” as part of his plan to combat Canada’s vehicle theft crisis.

One of the Conservative leader’s proposals includes a mandatory three years in jail for repeat car thieves.

In response to that, Justice Minister Arif Virani said that those provisions to punish car thieves already exist in the Criminal Code, and his focus is on organized crime rings driving this issue.

“(What) Pierre Poilievre is desperately missing is that he wants to take extremely punitive measures to 16-year-olds,” Virani said on his way into cabinet on Monday.

At Thursday’s summit, Virani said the Liberals already stiffened penalties in 2019 but added “there’s a lot of work to be done” and that he is “keen” to hear how to “improve” the law.

The Canadian