Ontario Proposes Lengthy Driving Suspensions, Licence Bans for Convicted Auto Thieves

Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced proposed new measures to crack down on auto thieves May 14 at a press conference outside the Toronto detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police. He was accompanied by OPP chief superintendent Andre Phelps, commander of the highway safety division and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. Handout photo

Ontario is cracking down on violent auto theft by introducing driver’s licence suspensions ranging from 10 years to a lifetime ban.

The government will introduce legislation to suspend the drivers licences of convicted car thieves when “aggravating factors” such as threats, violence, or the use of force or a weapon are involved, provincial Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced May 14. Suspensions would also be given to car thieves connected to organized crime.