Équité Association conducted the “2026 Canadian Auto Theft Impact Survey”, which measured Canadian sentiment on auto theft and personal safety. The survey revealed how trust in anti-theft technology has plummeted, how it is affecting Canadians' sense of safety, and what they think should be done next.

Canadians Are Concerned

The survey illustrated an alarming fact: only 18% of Canadians polled believe that new vehicles are adequately protected against auto theft, and 64% worry about becoming a victim of auto theft, concerned not just for their vehicles but for their families' safety. The survey also revealed that Canadians are doing their part to prevent auto theft, including locking doors (96%), parking in well-lit areas (81%), and some (34%) going so far as installing or enhancing home security systems.

Canadians know auto theft is not just a property crime; it affects their core sense of safety and security in their homes and communities.

Modernized Anti-Theft Standards

A majority of Canadians (72%) feel security protections should be built into their vehicles, and nearly 75% feel that mandatory anti-theft technology is needed in vehicles. Équité has underscored that Canadians' safety is directly threatened by the organized crime driving auto theft. On behalf of our members, we continue to work closely with Transport Canada (TC) and their ongoing commitment to modernizing vehicle anti-theft standards through CAN/ULC S338.

As part of our collaboration with TC, Équité advocated for amendments to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations that would include mandatory performance testing and cyber security testing through application of UN Reg. 155 and ISO/SAE 21434, as a critical mechanism to address modern cyberattacks. If adopted alongside CAN/ULC S338, this modernized standard will ensure that new vehicles manufactured or sold in Canada are more secure and better protected against auto theft. Vehicle manufacturers can help prevent auto theft by proactively building to an updated anti-theft safety standard.

While the 33% decrease in national auto theft since 2023 indicates that the federal government's National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft is having a positive effect, Canadians remain vulnerable. To sustainably address the auto theft crisis in Canada, solutions must focus on preventing vehicles from being stolen in the first place.

Reality of Modern Auto Theft

The reality of modern auto theft is that criminals are using technology-based methods, such as key fob relay and reprogramming attacks, to easily bypass a vehicle's security system. Canadian drivers deserve protection. With carjackings continuing in our communities and insurance claims totaling $900 million in 2025, effective anti-theft technology must be standard in every new vehicle. With many auto manufacturers holding patents on anti-theft technologies for many years, Canadians are right to feel frustrated — these patents hold the key to the updated technology protection that Canadians are wanting for their cars and within their homes.