Statement by the Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario on New Provincial Funding Targeting Auto Thefts

May 4, 2023

The following is a Statement by Frank Notte of the Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario.

“Automobile thefts have become an all-too common occurrence in Ontario. Having a vehicle stolen is unnerving and disruptive for families and increases the cost of business for automobile dealers.

The Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario – representing 1,100 new car dealers of every brand and franchise – applaud the new, targeted funding of $51 million to help slam the brakes on auto thefts and bring thieves to justice.

We are incredibly thankful to Solicitor General Michael Kerzner and Attorney General Doug Downey for acting upon this increasing public safety threat. Their innovative and creative thinking resulted in establishing first-of-its kind auto theft prosecution teams to investigate and prosecute criminal organizations that profit from stolen vehicles. They have also created an Ontario Provincial Police led Organized Crime Towing and Auto Theft Team to go after organized crime networks. They have responded to the concerns of police, car owners and the auto retail sector with bold action.

We encourage the federal government to act quickly and build upon Premier Ford’s work by allocating more resources to stop stolen vehicles from being exported out of the country, particularly through the Port of Montreal.

We are also eternally grateful to the brave women and men in police uniform who risk their lives everyday fighting crime and keeping our communities safe.”

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The Motor Vehicle Retailers of Ontario (formerly the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association) has been the voice of Ontario’s new car dealers since 1908. MVRO represents 1,100 new car, franchised dealers who generate and support 85,300 jobs and contribute $14 billion in GDP to Ontario’s economy every year.

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