View From the Legislature

Over the past two years across North America there has been a steep rise in the number of thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles. This is because the automobile parts have certain metal components that have risen in value, attracting the attention of thieves.

Across North America, officials and car manufacturers have been looking at ways to reduce the theft of catalytic converters. Their theft is not only a source of significant frustration and inconvenience for vehicle owners, but they are also costly replacements for auto insurers. While there has not been an easy solution found at this point for these crimes, Manitoba was determined to engage in a united effort to reduce the thefts.

This resulted in several specific efforts to interrupt thefts of catalytic converters. It began with legislative changes that require certain information to be taken by scrap metal dealers when purchasing scrap metal. This is intended to make it more difficult for those who are stealing metal (not just catalytic converters), from being able to find a market to sell the stolen goods. Along with this has come enhanced enforcement, which culminated several weeks ago with a significant operation by the Winnipeg Police Service on those who are stealing catalytic converters and those who were purchasing the goods.

Added to this, Winnipeg Crime Stoppers began a program of vehicle identification number (VIN) engraving on catalytic converters. This service is being offered free of charge in a number of Winnipeg locations. The engraving is part of helping police identify stolen goods and provide evidence against those involved in the crime. Earlier this year, the Steinbach RCMP detachment also proposed VIN engraving in the Steinbach region to help reduce thefts of catalytic converters in the southeast. Through the Manitoba proceeds of crime fund, engravers were purchased, and a number of local garages are now participating. I was pleased as the Minister of Justice to help launch this local portion of the program at Harvest Honda in Steinbach this past Friday.

The combined effort of legislation, enforcement and prevention through VIN engraving has shown early positive results. For example, the Winnipeg Police Service has reported that their number of stolen catalytic converters has dropped from a high of 353 in April to a low of 19 in September. That is a remarkable reduction and is the prevention of a significant number of these thefts.

However, we know that there needs to be continued efforts applied and that thefts can rise quickly again. Because of this, there continues to be consideration of how to expand these efforts and maintain the progress that has been made. Ultimately, thanks are owed to the various law enforcement agencies, auto repair shops and Crime Stoppers for the cooperative and multi-faceted approach they have taken to try to curb catalytic converter theft in Manitoba.