The Canadian government has announced $15 million in federal funding to combat the recent surge in car thefts, officials said Wednesday.
Public Safety Minister Dominic Leblanc, Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez, Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme and Montreal Police Chief Fady Dagher said at a news conference in Montreal that $9.1 million would be given to the armed forces at provincial, territorial and municipal levels the Contribution Program to Combat Serious and Organized Crime (CPCSOC).
Additionally, INTERPOL’s Joint Transnational Vehicle Crime Project will receive $3.5 million to improve information sharing to recover stolen vehicles and parts worldwide.
The officials said an additional $2.4 million will be invested to continue supporting the government’s domestic and international partners.
“Local police departments across the country play a critical role in combating auto theft,” Leblanc said in a news release.
“As highlighted at the recent summit to combat car theft, collaboration is essential to effectively combat this crime. The investment we are making today will enable police services to further strengthen their collaboration.”
An initial $28 million in funding to combat the export of stolen vehicles was announced at the summit earlier this month.
The government said the money will give the Canada Border Services Agency more capacity to track and search containers containing stolen cars.
According to the federal government, an estimated 90,000 cars are stolen in Canada each year, costing Canadian policyholders and taxpayers approximately $1 billion.
“Behind every car theft there are serious consequences for vehicle owners, visitors and the reputation of the metropolis,” Plante said at the announcement.
“Car thefts are a gateway into the criminal network for many young people and we must take concrete action. The funding announced today will certainly strengthen the effectiveness of the SPVM (Service de Police de la Ville de Montreal) and other police forces.” and the partners involved. We welcome this gesture from the Government of Canada and will continue to mobilize to effectively combat this scourge.”
With files from The Canadian Press
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