Ontario will suspend driver’s licenses for convicted car thieves for at least 10 years

TORONTO – Canada’s most populous province announced Tuesday it will revoke driver’s licenses for at least 10 years for those convicted of car theft.

Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria said those convicted of car theft three times will have their driver’s license revoked for life.

Penalties are increased for second and third convictions.

Sarkaria said a car is stolen every 14 minutes in Ontario, home to about 15.6 million people. Car thefts in the province have increased dramatically in recent years, particularly in Toronto, Canada’s largest city, frustrating many residents.

According to authorities, the thieves target relatively new vehicles, including high-end pickup trucks and SUVs, which are then exported to markets in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South America.

“Driving is a privilege, not a right. If you are shameful enough to exploit other members of the community for your own ruthless gain, you lose that privilege,” he said.

Sarkaria said the province is also imposing tougher penalties, including a one-year driver’s license suspension, for those convicted of stunt driving.