Eight proposals chosen from the Vehicle Theft Prevention challenge

OAKVILLE, ON, March 8, 2025 – The Government of Canada is dedicated to identifying, disrupting, and dismantling organized crime related to vehicle theft. It is exploring new and creative solutions to stop vehicles from being stolen.

Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, announced that the Government of Canada is investing over $1.1 million in eight ground-breaking projects designed to curb auto theft.

These projects stem from a challenge launched in August 2024 under the Innovative Solutions Canada Program. Transport Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Public Safety Canada are funding the challenge, which invited Canadian small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to propose novel ways to prevent vehicle theft.

The eight selected proposals include ideas such as:

• Smartphone-based security utilizing biometrics and sensing proximity;
• Locking mechanisms employing artificial intelligence (AI) monitoring;
• A replacement system for a vehicle’s starter relay;
• Authentication via fingerprint recognition;
• Steering wheel locks powered by AI;
• Sensors capable of recognizing gestures;
• A protective smart key fob; and
• Downsized devices that can disable vehicle components upon detection of theft.

The funding for these eight projects aims to help recipients develop their ‘proof of concept’. If these projects succeed, one or two proposals could receive up to $1 million to develop a working prototype.

“Our Government is actively engaged in preventing auto theft. I’m encouraged by the many promising proposals from small and medium-sized businesses that arose from this challenge. This showcases Canadian innovation in action, and I eagerly anticipate seeing these proposals develop into functional prototypes.”

The Honourable Anita Anand
Minister of Transport and Internal Trade

“The Government of Canada understands that organized vehicle theft constitutes both a criminal activity and a matter of national security. Our investments in innovative security solutions bolster Canada’s ability to withstand threats that undermine public safety. By funding these cutting-edge projects, we are helping to halt criminal operations and keep Canadians safe.”

The Honourable Bill Blair
Minister of National Defence

“While we continue to make significant strides in the fight against auto theft, it’s crucial that we stay ahead of emerging technologies that could be exploited to steal vehicles. That’s why we launched the Innovative Solutions Canada Vehicle Theft Prevention challenge in partnership with Transport Canada and the RCMP. This initiative has helped us to identify technologies that will improve vehicle security and ensure the safety of our communities. These proactive measures demonstrate our government’s long-term commitment to combating auto theft, and I look forward to seeing the outcomes of these proposals.”

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

• The was created with input from various government levels, law enforcement agencies, and industry stakeholders following the in February 2024. During the Summit, the Government of Canada pledged to launch a challenge aimed at improving vehicle theft protection.
• Innovative Solutions Canada challenges offer competitive funding to address market needs and gaps by harnessing the ingenuity of Canadian small businesses.
• Proposals for this challenge needed to provide solutions that were affordable, safe, easy to install, and commercially viable.
• In addition to working with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to launch the Vehicle Theft Prevention challenge, Transport Canada is making significant progress on its commitments under the Action Plan. This includes:
• Initiating pre-regulatory consultations regarding updates to the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards;
• Identifying vulnerabilities in cargo handling through targeted security assessments of port facilities; and
• Collaborating with provincial and territorial counterparts to take action against fraudulent vehicle registrations.

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SOURCE Transport Canada – Ottawa

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