16.55°C Vancouver

Mar 15, 2022 12:39 AM - The Canadian Press

B.C. announces new regulations to curb catalytic converter thefts

Share On
b-c-announces-new-regulations-to-curb-catalytic-converter-thefts
The British Columbia government has moved to prevent thefts of catalytic converters, a crime that costs millions every year. (Photo - The Canadian Press)

The British Columbia government has moved to prevent thefts of catalytic converters, a crime that costs millions every year.

The province has changed the regulations for metal dealers and recyclers to require them to report each transaction, including seller information, to police.

Catalytic converters control exhaust emissions to reduce pollutants, but they have been a target for thieves because of an increase in the price of metals they contain.

The Insurance Corporation of B.C. says converter theft claims have climbed from 89 in 2017 to 1,953 last year, totalling more than $4 million in claim costs for 2021.

Up until the regulation changes on Monday, the converters could be sold without providing information about the seller, allowing them to remain anonymous.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says changing the rules will help police find offenders and work to reduce the incentive for people to steal them in the first place.

Latest news

traffic-stop-leads-to-gun-seizure
CanadaAug 06, 2025

Traffic Stop Leads to Gun Seizure

A loaded handgun has been seized and an investigation is underway after a traffic stop by Surrey Police Service’s Gang Crime Unit (SPS GCU) officers late last night. At approximately 11:30 pm on August 5, 2025, SPS GCU officers were patrolling in the area of 64 Avenue and 126 Street when they conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle. During the stop, SPS GCU officers observed cannabis products in the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, a baton and a loaded handgun were found and the driver, the lone occupant, was arrested. The vehicle, cannabis, baton, and firearm were all seized. The fire
BCAug 06, 2025

Public Warning: In-person bank card scam

Richmond RCMP is once again warning the public of a reoccurring scam where fraudsters are picking up bank cards in person to defraud victims. This scam is resurfacing and continuing with more sophisticated tactics. There have been 11 reported cases in Richmond since April 2025, with an approximate loss of $53,000. In all instances, the victims were contacted by fraudsters over the phone impersonating bank employees advising their bank cards are compromised. The fraudsters convinced the victims to provide their personal information, banking information, including their PINS, and to give their p
a-witness-who-saw-the-driver-of-a-black-gmc-denali-may-be-key-to-solving-a-fatal-collision
BCAug 06, 2025

A witness who saw the driver of a black GMC Denali may be key to solving a fatal collision

BC Highway Patrol is making progress investigating a collision that killed a man in Fanny Bay. Now, police are looking for witnesses who can fill in crucial details about the minutes and hours before the fatal collision. On July 31, 2025, just after 4:00 p.m., on Highway 19A northbound near Fanny Bay, a black 2015 GMC Sierra Denali pickup that was towing a white Minilite Recreational Vehicle (RV) collided with multiple vehicles and killed a man who was standing at the side of the road. The driver of the black GMC Sierra was arrested for impaired driving causing death.Anyone who was at scene in
men-charged-in-connection-with-44-migrants-found-in-truck-in-quebec-to-stay-detained
CanadaAug 06, 2025

Men charged in connection with 44 migrants found in truck in Quebec to stay detained

Three men facing smuggling-related charges after 44 foreign nationals were found in a truck in southern Quebec on Sunday will remain detained until their next court hearing. Ogulcan Mersin, Dogan Alakus and Firat Yuksek appeared in a Sherbrooke, Que. courtroom today following their arrest over the weekend. Prosecutor Annabelle Racine objected to their release on several grounds, and the next date was set for Aug. 28. The suspects were arrested Sunday after police intercepted a cube truck carrying the foreign nationals in southern Quebec near the U.S. border. The men have been charged with indu
vpd-renews-appeal-for-information-in-2023-homicide
BCAug 06, 2025

VPD renews appeal for information in 2023 homicide

Vancouver Police are renewing their appeal for information about the 2023 murder of 32-year-old Jose Kaze in the Granville Entertainment District. Just before 3:15 a.m. on August 4, 2023, Jose Kaze was fatally stabbed mid-block on Granville Street, between Smithe and Nelson. Investigators from VPD’s Homicide Unit continue to work on the case and believe there are people with information who, for various reasons, have not yet come forward. “We know the Granville Mall remains busy just after 3 a.m. on weekends, and someone would have seen what happened,” says Constable Jason Doucette. ?

Related News