Thank you for your question. The rise in crime generally in many of our communities — car thefts in particular — affects those in the GTA, my hometown and elsewhere. The government has done many things to assist local police officers, provinces and municipalities in that regard, to wit: $28 million to further support the work of police and strengthen our borders against the export of stolen vehicles. The collaboration of police across jurisdictions is critical to meet this goal. Indeed, we are seeing some results. The Canada Border Services Agency, or CBSA, intercepted over 1,800 stolen vehicles last year alone. To continue to support police efforts in this regard, the government has released the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft and is supporting their work through major investments of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Senator, you can tell people that the federal, provincial and municipal governments’ police forces are working together to address this important problem. I hope the results will be such that people will feel that we have a right to feel secure in our homes and cities.