Car theft in Canada fell 16% in 2025 to 83,652 vehicles, a rate of 201 per 100,000 people, but it is still a real risk in some cities. Red Deer (361 per 100,000), Winnipeg (355), Moncton (339) and Edmonton (335) had the highest rates among metro areas. Layered protection works best: lock and park smart, add a visible physical deterrent, protect your keys and fobs, and know what to do if your vehicle is taken.
Data: Statistics Canada, police-reported crime statistics for 2025 (released 22 July 2026), motor vehicle theft by census metropolitan area and province. Rates are per 100,000 population. Percentage changes not in the release are our own arithmetic from the published rates. Updated 5 October 2026. Prevention tips are general guidance.
Is car theft going up or down in Canada?
Down. Police reported 83,652 motor vehicle thefts in 2025, a rate of 201 per 100,000, a 16% fall from 2024. It was the second yearly decline after three years of increases. The 2025 rate was 9% below 2015 and 64% below the peak in 2003.
The biggest falls came in the largest metros. Toronto’s rate dropped from 324.74 to 237.95 per 100,000 (about 27%), and Montréal’s from 277.48 to 197.32 (about 29%). Ontario’s provincial rate fell from 234.40 to 186.70, and Quebec’s from 203.95 to 153.30.
Remember that thefts still happen in large numbers. The Toronto CMA alone recorded 16,711 stolen vehicles in 2025. See our full car theft in Canada report.
Where is car theft highest in Canada?
| Metro area (CMA) | Vehicles stolen 2025 | Rate per 100,000 (2025) | Rate per 100,000 (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Deer | 417 | 361.3 | 494.9 |
| Winnipeg | 3,287 | 355.0 | 401.8 |
| Moncton | 690 | 338.8 | 295.1 |
| Edmonton | 5,680 | 334.5 | 397.8 |
| Saskatoon | 1,015 | 265.0 | 265.7 |
| Hamilton | 2,190 | 260.6 | 303.0 |
| Calgary | 4,460 | 242.8 | 278.6 |
| Toronto | 16,711 | 238.0 | 324.7 |
| Montréal | 9,169 | 197.3 | 277.5 |
| Vancouver | 3,195 | 103.5 | 112.0 |
| Canada | 83,652 | 200.8 | 240.2 |
Moncton was the only metro in this table where the rate rose in 2025. Brantford (304.71) and Kamloops (283.79) also had high rates. By province, Saskatchewan (423.61), Manitoba (352.19) and Alberta (316.56) had the highest rates; Prince Edward Island (85.95) had the lowest.
How can I make my car harder to steal?
No single measure stops every thief, but each layer adds time, noise and risk, which makes your vehicle a less attractive target.
- Always lock it and close the windows, even in your own driveway or for a quick stop.
- Never leave the engine running unattended, including when warming the car up in winter. Many thefts are opportunistic.
- Take the keys or fob with you and never leave a spare in the vehicle.
- Use a visible steering wheel lock or another physical deterrent. Thieves may move on to an easier target.
- Park in a garage if you have one, and keep the garage locked. Otherwise park in well-lit, busy areas, ideally within view of cameras.
- Keep valuables and documents out of sight, or better, out of the car. Do not leave your ownership papers or garage door opener inside.
How do I protect a keyless car?
Vehicles with keyless entry and push-button start are convenient, but thieves may try to capture or relay the signal from a fob, or reprogram a new key. To reduce the risk:
- Store fobs away from doors and windows at home, so the signal cannot easily be picked up from outside.
- Consider a signal-blocking pouch or box for fobs; test it by trying to unlock the car with the fob inside.
- Ask your dealer whether your vehicle has software updates or settings for the keyless system, such as turning off keyless entry when not needed.
- Use a physical lock, such as a steering wheel lock, as a second layer that electronic attacks cannot bypass.
- Consider protecting the vehicle’s diagnostic port, which some thieves use to program keys. A dealer or professional installer can advise.
Should I install a tracker or immobiliser?
An aftermarket GPS tracker can help police locate a stolen vehicle, and an additional immobiliser can make it harder to drive away. These options vary widely in cost and effectiveness, so ask a reputable installer or your dealer what suits your model. Check with your insurer too: some insurers may ask about anti-theft devices, especially for vehicle models that are frequently stolen.
Marking or etching your vehicle identification number (VIN) on windows and recording it safely at home can also help with recovery.
What should I do if my car is stolen?
- Check it was not towed by calling the local parking authority or towing services if you parked on a street with restrictions.
- Report it to police. Use your local non-emergency line or online reporting if no one is in danger; call 911 if a theft is happening now. Do not confront thieves.
- Have the details ready: licence plate, make, model, colour, year, VIN and any distinctive features.
- Tell your insurer and give them the police report number.
- If you have a tracker, share its location with police rather than trying to recover the car yourself.
Our guide on how to report a crime in Canada explains the options.
How do I check car theft risk where I live?
- Look at your local police service’s official crime map or open data for vehicle thefts nearby.
- Compare your metro area on our Canada crime map.
- Ask neighbours or your building manager about recent thefts from driveways or garages.
- Remember that only about half of vehicle thefts were reported to police in 2019, so data can undercount.
Know where vehicle crime is reported
Safety App Canada puts official crime data on a live map, plans walking routes that avoid high-risk areas and sends one-tap SOS alerts to the people you trust. Coming soon to Android and iPhone.
Car theft in Canada FAQ
How many cars were stolen in Canada in 2025?
Police reported 83,652 motor vehicle thefts in 2025, a rate of 201 per 100,000 people, down 16% from 2024.
Which Canadian city has the most car thefts?
By number, the Toronto CMA, with 16,711 vehicles in 2025. By rate, Red Deer (361 per 100,000) and Winnipeg (355) were highest among metro areas.
Is car theft falling in Toronto?
Yes. The Toronto CMA’s rate fell from 324.74 per 100,000 in 2024 to 237.95 in 2025, a drop of about 27%.
Do steering wheel locks work?
A visible physical lock adds time and effort, which can deter opportunistic thieves. It works best as one layer alongside locking the car, protecting your keys and parking in secure places.
Which province has the highest car theft rate?
Saskatchewan, at 423.61 per 100,000 in 2025, followed by Manitoba (352.19) and Alberta (316.56).