As of August 8, 2024, the Canada Border Services Agency enforcement action statistics intercepted and detained 1,612 stolen vehicles. Between 2021 and 2023, a total of 1,345 stolen and recovered in Canada.
The CBSA supports other law enforcement and assists them in disrupting, investigating, and ultimately prosecuting auto theft-related crimes. Police across Canada lead investigations into vehicle theft, and the agency acts on 100 per cent of referrals from them to stop stolen vehicles from leaving the country.
The CBSA counts on police to provide timely referrals and intelligence, to take swift possession of stolen vehicles, and to successfully prosecute cases to stem vehicle theft at the source. In addition, the CBSA also performs searches based on its own intelligence.
Export examinations are a part of the CBSA’s export control regulatory mandate. Border services officers are responsible for conducting these types of exams at ports of entry across the country.
CBSA officers in local export units have the authority to conduct daily audits of export declarations (primary examination) and select containers of interest for secondary examination at docks or warehouses. Police officers may also conduct enforcement activities at the Port upon presentation of a warrant.
The data below shows the total number of stolen vehicles intercepted and detained by calendar quarter and previous calendar years.
| Region | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic (ATL) | 73 | 30 | 100 | 118 | 51 | 188 | 63 |
| Quebec (QUE) | 348 | 605 | 816 | 1,020 | 1,050 | 1,204 | 922 |
| Northern Ontario (NOR) | – | – | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Southern Ontario (SOR) | 4 | 5 | 2 | – | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Greater Toronto Area (GTA) | 25 | 69 | 250 | 194 | 229 | 773 | 532 |
| Prairies | 2 | 2 | – | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Pacific | 11 | 55 | 75 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 94 |
| Total | 463 | 766 | 1,244 | 1,345 | 1,348 | 1,806 | 1,612 |
