Harsher Penalties Sought For Auto Theft/Joyriding

A joint call for action to combat auto theft and joyriding was made today, Nov. 24, by the Nova Scotia government, Insurance Bureau of Canada, RCMP and Halifax Regional Police Service.

"There have been too many tragic stories here at home and across Canada to ignore this serious public safety issue any longer," said Justice Minister Michael Baker. "The federal government needs to act now. The public needs greater protection from irresponsible people who steal vehicles and recklessly threaten the lives of innocent people."

Mr. Baker joined Richard Dubin, vice-president of investigations, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Inspector Matt Lowther, RCMP, and Chris McNeil, deputy police chief, Halifax Regional Police Service, in calling for tougher laws to protect the public.

Mr. Baker said that auto theft and the so-called "joyriding" theft of a vehicle should be indictable offences, which would carry stricter sentences. He also recommends that auto theft be categorized as a violent offence under the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act, not a property offence. This would make it possible to keep young offenders in custody before a trial and sentencing.

"In the current criminal justice system, there is effectively no deterrent to stealing a car," said Mr. Dubin. "Both the Criminal Code and the Youth Criminal Justice Act need to be changed so that auto theft is recognized as a specific indictable, violent offence rather than the simple theft of property. The would-be car thief, in particular the juvenile car thief, must know that there is a risk of serious punishment prior to getting involved in auto theft. If these serious deterrents were put in place nationally, we could potentially prevent further loss of life and stop many young criminals from taking up a life of crime that too often starts with auto theft." said Mr. Dubin.

"The hazardous pursuits that often result from auto thefts committed by youths can have deadly consequences," said Inspector Lowther, officer in charge, Nova Scotia RCMP traffic services. "The RCMP supports a review of legislation to ensure that sentencing in these cases fits the crime."

"Theft of motor vehicles is a serious public safety concern," said Mr. McNeil. "A stolen car in the hands of an immature and inexperienced youth is as dangerous as a loaded gun. The justice system needs to take the issue of stolen vehicles more seriously, as current sentences for stolen cars are inadequate to deter this crime."

Mr. Baker will travel to Ottawa to lobby for changes to the federal Youth Criminal Justice Act and the Criminal Code of Canada. He will also seek support from his provincial counterparts during the annual justice ministers' meeting to be held in Ottawa from Jan. 24-26, 2005.

In Nova Scotia, more than 2,700 motor vehicles were stolen in 2003, the latest year for which statistics are available. That represents a 52 per cent increase during the 1993-2003 period.