The Ontario government plans to leverage its authority over road regulations to combat auto thefts involving electronic devices used to unlock cars parked in driveways.
On Tuesday, officials announced proposed amendments to the Highway Traffic Act, enabling police to search and confiscate electronic devices during vehicle stops that are associated with car theft.
“By targeting these illegal devices, we are interrupting criminal activities and empowering police to prevent thefts before they occur, ultimately ensuring safer communities for all,” stated Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria in a news release.
Subscribe for daily National news
Receive top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines in your inbox daily.
Law enforcement officials have expressed growing concern over a rising trend in Ontario where car thieves are using various electronic gadgets to bypass vehicle locks and ignitions.
Thieves have, for instance, been known to capture the radio frequency from key fobs inside homes, boost that signal, and transmit it to vehicles, mimicking the presence of the driver outside the car.
New legislation proposed this week, if passed, will grant police the authority to search for and confiscate electronic devices that may facilitate such vehicle thefts.
According to the government, police may search for key fob programming devices, fob scanners, and even certain smartphone applications as potential tools in vehicle theft.
“This initiative will aid law enforcement in protecting our neighborhoods and facilitate the prevention of car thefts,” remarked Zee Hamid, the associate minister of auto theft and bail reform, in a statement.
While Ontario does not have jurisdiction over the Criminal Code, which is managed by the federal government, it has the authority to enact changes to the Highway Traffic Act, which regulates driving violations handled in provincial courts.
The government highlighted that the proposed legislation would permit auto dealers, repair services, and roadside assistance personnel to utilize the electronic devices that law enforcement would be authorized to seize from other drivers.
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
