The Ontario government is investing an additional $6 million to support police efforts against auto theft, citing a significant decline in vehicle thefts across the province.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner made the announcement Monday at Peel Regional Police headquarters alongside Mississauga–Streetsville MPP Nina Tangri.
According to the Équité Association’s 2025 auto trend report, vehicle thefts in Ontario fell to 19,319 in 2025, compared with a peak of 30,134 in 2023, a reduction of 36 per cent. The province says it has invested $51 million over the past three years in initiatives including the Preventing Auto Thefts (PAT) Grant Program, the Provincial Auto Theft and Towing Team and the Major Auto Theft Prosecution Response Team.
“Auto theft is down across Ontario because our government is making it a priority and is giving police the tools and resources they need to go after the organized criminals who are behind it,” said Kerzner. “While we are seeing real progress, we will not let up. That is why we are doubling down, further investing in our police services, and supporting their work to disrupt criminal networks and protect Ontario families and communities.”
Through the 2026-2027 PAT Grant Program, the money will support 22 police projects across the province, bringing the government’s total investment in the program to $24 million since 2023.
Peel Regional Police is being allocated $300,000 to strengthen its Commercial Auto Crime Bureau, which supports dedicated investigators, specialized training, public education initiatives, advanced investigative equipment and participation in provincial auto-theft summits and intelligence-sharing forums. The service has been allocated $1.2 million through the program since 2023.
“We have made significant steps in addressing the ongoing threat of auto theft in our communities, and it’s critical that we keep our foot on the gas,” said Chief Nishan Duraiappah. “With proper resourcing, we can continue to mobilize specialized teams to pursue complex investigations and dismantle the criminal networks operating across the region and beyond. We thank the Government of Ontario for supporting our efforts to protect our communities, recover stolen vehicles and hold offenders accountable.”
In Peel Region, there were 299 fewer auto thefts between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2026. About 2,790 vehicles were stolen, compared with 3,089 over the same period last year, a reduction of 10 per cent.
Provincewide, the Équité Association report, published last month, says auto theft decreased by 8.4 per cent in the first half of this year. It indicates 8,796 vehicles were stolen in Ontario in that period, compared with 9,601 during the same period last year.
“Keeping families and communities safe is a top priority for our government,” said Tangri. “This $300,000 investment will give Peel Regional Police additional tools and resources to combat auto theft, strengthen investigations and disrupt organized crime.”
OPP-policed municipalities, municipal police services and First Nations police services were eligible to apply for the grant program, which supports specialized training for investigators, tools such as surveillance equipment, software and GPS tracking devices, and public education campaigns.
