A motion from Mayor Brown today (Jan 25, 2024) to advise the federal government on how to deter auto theft was adopted unanimously by Region of Peel Councillors. The motion calls on the federal government to accept the advice of the Peel Regional Police to tackle the auto theft crisis by allocating more resources to screen shipping containers at all major ports in Canada, and to impose tougher sentences for offences. (See text of resolution below)
Statement from Mayor Brown:
I want to thank Councillor Carolyn Parrish and my colleagues at the Region of Peel for unanimously supporting my resolution on auto thefts at today’s Council meeting. I want to thank the federal government for initiating the National Summit Combatting Auto Theft, addressing a critical issue that deeply affects our community.
The national summit on February 8th in Ottawa is a crucial step towards combating this trend. I look forward to attending this summit. I appreciate the leadership shown by the Honourable Domenic LeBlanc, the Minister for Public Safety.
As Mayor, I am committed to collaborating with all levels of government to improve safety and security in Brampton and across Canada. This summit is an opportunity for meaningful action against the growing challenge of auto theft.
(See text of resolution below)
Regional Council Video
Text of Resolution
Region of Peel Council Resolution from January 25th
Moved by Councillor Brown
Seconded by Councillor Parrish
Whereas auto theft is skyrocketing and is the third largest revenue source for organized crime groups in Canada;
And whereas, a recent visit by Peel Regional Police to the Port of Montreal exposed glaring security gaps and an abundance of stolen vehicles;
And whereas, only one per cent of shipping containers in Canada are inspected for criminality and remain based on the honour system of attesting to no criminality;
And whereas, the honour system for shipping container compliance at Canadian Ports has failed;
And whereas, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) needs to have the resources and authority of the same manner of rigorous inspections similar to other The Group of Twenty (G20) countries;
And whereas, the Criminal Code in Canada is lenient with respect to auto theft and considers it a low-level property crime, despite the widespread impact on our communities;
And whereas, the National Auto Theft Summit is occurring on February 8, 2024;
Therefore be it resolved, that Peel Region call on the federal government to accept the advice of the Peel Regional Police to tackle the auto theft crisis by:
- Allocating additional resources to CBSA to ensure shipping containers are screened for criminal activity at all major ports in Canada, and;
- Amending the Criminal Code to impose tougher sentences to deter auto theft and establish real penalties for this offence, and;
That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, Peel-area Members of Parliament, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), and Global Auto Manufacturers and Insurance Bureau of Canada.
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