Auto thefts decline across Canada, Alberta sees biggest drop

Auto thefts across Canada continued to decline in the first half of 2026, with reported cases down 10 per cent compared with the same period last year, according to a new report from Équité Association.

Alberta recorded the largest decline, with auto thefts falling 15.1 per cent during the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025.

The non-profit anti-fraud organization says the trend is bringing Canada’s auto theft rate closer to pre-crisis levels seen before 2021, when thefts surged.

Équité Association says the earlier increase was driven in part by pandemic-related shortages of new vehicles, which created strong demand and encouraged organized crime groups to expand auto theft operations.