Lifetime ban? License suspension for car thieves could be coming to Ontario | 24CA News
The Ford authorities says it plans to droop some driver’s licenses for folks discovered responsible of auto theft offences in laws set to be tabled later within the week.
Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, together with Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, teased the proposed new regulation Tuesday, which might result in repeat car thieves having their licenses suspended for all times in sure instances.
Sarkaria mentioned the plan is to “send a message” to auto thieves.
“Car theft is a cowardly and often violent crime that can traumatize victims and communities who experience it,” Sarkaria mentioned.
The laws will suggest an escalating scale of licence bans for folks discovered responsible by a courtroom of auto theft, in accordance with the province.
If handed, the federal government mentioned the laws would apply to folks convicted of auto theft beneath Canada’s Criminal Code. First offences might see a 10-year driver’s licence suspension, growing to fifteen years for a second offence and a possible lifetime ban for these convicted thrice.
“Licence suspensions would apply to convictions where the court found that aggravating factors were involved in the commission of the offence, such as violence, use of a weapon, use of force, threat, or pursuit of financial gain,” a news launch mentioned.
When to use the suspension, beneath these standards, could be on the discretion of a choose, in accordance with the federal government.
Both Canada and Ontario have struggled with a rising auto theft disaster in recent times, with a nationwide summit on the problem convened in the beginning of the yr.
So far, the Ford authorities has centered a lot of its efforts on making requests from the federal authorities to make it more durable for thieves to get stolen vehicles in another country the place they will bought.
Ontario additionally unveiled funding in 2023 to assist native police forces step up enforcement and launched an OPP-led taskforce. In the 2024 funds, the province introduced funds to purchase police forces 4 helicopters which can be utilized in pursuing and finding stolen automobiles.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is taking bold action to stop what is a serious and often violent crime,” Kerzner mentioned Tuesday. “Criminals who want to steal a car in Ontario need to know there will be severe consequences for doing so.”
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown referred to as the specter of licence suspensions a “crucial tool” to fight auto theft. Region of Peel Chair Nando Iannicca mentioned the proposed regulation would “help deter auto theft.”
Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah has mentioned Brampton and Mississauga have the very best per capita auto thefts within the province. Data from the power’s web site suggests a mean of 20 automobiles have been reported stolen every day within the two cities because the begin of the yr.
Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca additionally praised the plan.
“I want to thank the provincial government for its efforts to tackle auto theft head-on,” he mentioned in an announcement distributed by the federal government.
“Too many Vaughan residents have had their vehicles stolen, and we have a duty to protect them and their property. Introducing escalating licence suspensions for criminals who steal cars is a great example of the kind of innovative penalty that we need.”
The laws, which can even enhance penalties for folks convicted of stunt driving, is ready to be tabled on Thursday.
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