‘Onus’ On Automakers to Address Auto Theft, Says Former Parliamentary Secretary

Automakers should shoulder the responsibility for curbing auto theft, according to a Liberal MP and former parliamentary secretary. “The onus is on the people making that car,” Peter Schiefke emphasized during a recent meeting of the Commons public safety committee as covered by Blacklock’s Reporter. He identified owning a vehicle as Canadians’ second largest investment behind home-ownership, adding that there is a lack of effort by auto manufacturers to invest in necessary protections for vehicles. Witnesses at the Feb. 29 meeting said auto-theft costs $1.2 billion annually in insurance payouts, with approximately 70,000 vehicles stolen each year. The federal government has committed $43 million since Feb. 7 to combat the rise in vehicle thefts nationwide....