The roundtable was held earlier this week
A Brockville roundtable on vehicle thefts this week turned into a stronger push for federal bail reform.
Ontario Associate Solicitor General for Auto Theft and Bail Reform, Zee Hamid, joined local officials at the closed-door meeting held at MPP Steve Clark’s office.
The session was part of a provincewide series focused on the growing problem of organized auto theft.
Hamid said stolen vehicles often fund guns, gangs, drugs and human trafficking, with many shipped overseas to South America and the Middle East. He linked the issue to weak bail rules under federal Bill C-75, arguing repeat offenders are released too quickly.
Police leaders voiced frustration with multiple bail breaches, while Brockville Police Chief Mark Noonan noted auto thefts dropped from 38 in 2022 to 22 in 2024, but are already rising again this year.
MP Michael Barrett called for tougher sentencing and mandatory minimums, saying victims feel unsafe under the current system.
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