BC Government Cracks Down on Catalytic Converter Theft

The B.C. government says it has closed a previously unchecked loophole that allowed thieves to anonymously sell one specific car part to scrap-metal dealers.

Public safety minister and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth announced a change to BC's metal recycling regulations yesterday.

The province will now require that metal dealers report the sale of catalytic converters to law enforcement, including passing along information about who sold it to them.

Catalytic converters are responsible for controlling exhaust emissions on vehicles and have precious metals that are commonly stolen when the value of those metals rises.

According to ICBC, claims for catalytic converter thefts have increased from 89 claims in 2017, to 1,953 in 2021.

The financial toll of those claims has grown from $356,950 in 2017 to $4.06 million in 2021, according to the insurance corporation.

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General said, "These thefts create costs and consequences to the livelihoods of British Columbians and this change reduces the incentive to steal them in the first place."

The province says the change was proposed by groups including the B.C. Association of Police Boards to deter the sale and distribution of stolen goods.