The Insurance Bureau of Canada has officially signalled its support for the federal government’s proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations. This move represents a significant national effort to address the auto theft crisis that has plagued communities across the country. The proposed changes aim to replace outdated theft-protection standards with modernized, international requirements that reflect the technological advancements of 2026. By updating these regulations, the federal government intends to ensure that all new vehicles sold in Canada are equipped with more robust defences against increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics.
A central component of this modernization is the adoption of the CAN/ULC 2025 standard. This update is particularly vital as it introduces rigorous testing for electronic attack tools, which have become the primary method for organized crime rings to bypass traditional security. These new requirements will force manufacturers to better protect vehicles against key signal interception and unauthorized reprogramming through the on-board diagnostic port. Aligning Canadian standards with global benchmarks ensures that the national vehicle market is no longer a soft target for international theft networks.
While law enforcement and border services have increased their efforts, the industry maintains that vehicle resilience at the manufacturing stage is a critical long-term solution. This federal regulatory shift is a necessary step toward reducing the overall frequency of theft claims and protecting the financial interests of Canadian drivers. Enhanced security standards serve as a fundamental pillar in the broader strategy to restore safety and stability to the national automotive landscape.
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