Trudeau hints at tougher penalties for car thieves as RCMP chief warns of 'unprecedented' problem

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Thursday his government is considering tougher penalties for auto theft as the head of the RCMP warned that some thefts are being carried out with «extreme violence.»

«It's unprecedented,» RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme told a daylong national summit on auto theft in Ottawa.

«And the extreme violence that's associated to that and what we're seeing, it's something that was never seen before.»

The summit comes as Trudeau faces increasing pressure to address the issue, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre blaming the Liberals for the rise in auto thefts.

Poilievre also has floated tougher sentences and has vowed a Conservative government would increase the mandatory prison sentence to three years for anyone convicted of auto theft for a third time. His plan would also deny house arrest to those convicted of auto theft by way of indictment.

Taking a swipe at his rival, Trudeau told the Thursday gathering that «catchy slogans» and two-minute videos won't solve the problem.

«Organized crime is becoming more brazen, and the overseas market for the stolen cars is expanding,» the prime minister said.

«Cracking down on auto theft means bringing law enforcement, border services, port authorities, carmakers and insurance companies together.»

Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner Thomas Carrique, whose service operates in a province considered a hotbed for car thefts, said the criminal penalties typically handed down for car theft aren't strong enough.

«It's highly profitable and there's very low risk,» he said.

«Only in Ontario, we saw 68 per cent of those convicted serve a sentence of six months or less. We need to see stiffer penalties. We absolutely need to have a deterrence for these crimes.»

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