On December 27, the federal government published new regulation on vehicle security in the Canada Gazette. Automakers will have two years to adapt their immobilizer systems to help reduce auto theft. 

Transport Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (MVSR) will be updated to align with international standards on vehicle theft. The MVSR is now subject to an 80-day consultation period. Implementing these changes is a core part of the National Action Plan on Combatting Auto Theft, tabled by Public Safety Canada in May 2024 following the National Summit held in February 2024. 

The proposed amendments will modernize National Standard CAN/ULC S338, which governs prevention systems and devices. The standard has been updated to reflect recent technological developments. The revised 2025 standard includes a new category covering electronic attack tools. 

According to Équité Association, this will allow manufacturers to “test immobilization systems against auto theft devices such as on-board diagnostic key programmers, emulators, and key signal relay equipment.” 

“The proposed amendments will ensure that new vehicles manufactured or sold in Canada will be more secure,” Équité Association adds. Changes to the MVSR will enhance public safety in the country, says Bryan Gast, National Vice-President of Investigative Services at Équité Association. 

“It is vitally important that these standards keep pace with technology, criminal sophistication, and international best practices by addressing existing vulnerabilities,” says Gast, noting that organized crime uses profits from auto theft to fund other illegal activities. 

In July 2025, the advisory committee responsible for drafting the new CAN/ULC 338 announced that the Canadian standard is now aligned with the American National Standard in effect in the United States. 

In its impact assessment of the proposed MVSR amendment, Transport Canada notes that the country operates under a self-certification regulatory system. Companies must certify that all new vehicles and equipment comply with safety laws and regulations. For a product to be marketed, manufacturers must submit it to a government-accredited testing lab for certification. 

Insurers on board 

At the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), Liam McGuinty, Vice-President of Federal Affairs, also welcomed the new regulations proposed by Transport Canada. “These amendments would ensure that all vehicles sold in Canada, including those imported, are designed to withstand modern electronic theft techniques,” he says. 

In 2025, the vehicle theft rate declined after 10 years of increases, thanks to coordinated efforts by governments, law enforcement, and Équité Association, McGuinty notes. However, the rate remains above historical levels, according to the organization.