Prime Minister Mark Carney announced new measures this week aimed at tackling organized retail theft and strengthening public safety across Canada. The plan includes tougher sentencing, reverse-onus bail for repeat offenders, and an investment of $1.8 billion to expand the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The announcement marks the first time a federal government has explicitly recognized organized retail theft as a national economic and safety concern. The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) says it welcomed the move, calling it an important step in protecting workers, communities, and local economies.
“Retail crime is not a victimless offence,” RCC said in a statement. “It is a growing threat to workers, communities, and local economies. RCC looks forward to working with all levels of government to turn today’s commitments into real results.”
RCC Welcomes Federal Action on Organized Retail Theft
The Retail Council of Canada (RCC) is welcoming Ottawa’s decision to formally recognize organized retail theft as a national concern. The association, now led by President and CEO Kim Furlong, said the federal government’s plan to introduce tougher sentencing, strengthen bail conditions, and expand policing resources represents a critical step toward protecting retail workers and communities.
RCC has long called for stronger measures to address the growing threat posed by organized retail crime. The Council’s latest research found that losses tied to theft and related incidents reached approximately $9.1 billion in 2024, almost double what retailers reported a decade earlier. The issue has moved beyond property loss, with increased violence toward staff and customers prompting stores to heighten security measures and shorten operating hours.
While welcoming the federal response, RCC emphasized that lasting progress will depend on collaboration across jurisdictions. The organization is urging provinces to align their bail and sentencing frameworks with federal reforms to ensure consistent accountability for repeat and violent offenders.
According to RCC, organized retail theft remains one of the most pressing safety and economic challenges facing Canadian retailers. The Council said it will continue to work with law enforcement and all levels of government to ensure that today’s policy commitments translate into tangible improvements for retailers and the communities they serve.
Key Measures to Strengthen Public Safety
The federal government plans to table amendments to the Criminal Code next week. Proposed changes include introducing reverse-onus bail for serious and repeat offenders, consecutive sentencing for multiple crimes, and harsher penalties for organized retail theft.
Under the reforms, those accused of crimes such as violent assault, human trafficking, and theft linked to organized criminal networks will have to prove why they should be released on bail. The government says this will help prevent repeat offences and improve safety for workers and shoppers.
The plan also includes hiring 1,000 new RCMP officers nationwide to address rising levels of organized crime and online fraud. Of these, 150 positions will focus specifically on financial crime and the recovery of illicit assets.
National Scope of the Retail Crime Problem
According to the Retail Council of Canada and the Loss Prevention Research Council, 95 percent of surveyed retailers now identify organized retail crime as their greatest threat. The number of shoplifting incidents has climbed 66 percent over the past decade, with average losses per incident exceeding $500.
Police services across the country report similar trends. Toronto Police recorded nearly 43,000 “theft under” cases in 2024, up 10 percent from the previous year. In Vancouver, Kamloops, Red Deer, and Halifax, retail theft rates remain among the highest in the country.
National enforcement campaigns have also revealed troubling patterns. During police-led “retail blitz” operations in 2024, nearly one in five suspects arrested was a repeat offender, and authorities seized 121 weapons.
Retailers have responded by adding security staff, installing locked display cases, and, in some areas, reducing store hours. While some regional initiatives, such as Windsor Police’s business partnership program, have produced localized declines in theft, most communities continue to see year-over-year increases.
Coordinated Federal and Provincial Approach Needed
The federal government acknowledges that crime prevention depends on collaboration between all levels of government. Criminal law falls under federal jurisdiction, while provinces handle bail hearings, remand facilities, and court operations.
Justice Minister Sean Fraser said Ottawa is working with provinces and territories to ensure bail and sentencing reforms reflect community needs. “We are giving police and prosecutors stronger tools to keep violent offenders off our streets,” he said.
RCC has echoed that sentiment, noting that enforcement alone will not solve the crisis. Provincial investment in policing and judicial capacity will be essential to deliver the tougher penalties now being proposed.
Impact on Retailers and Communities
Retailers across Canada have described rising levels of organized retail theft as a serious safety concern for staff and shoppers. Many have implemented new security protocols and invested heavily in surveillance, training, and physical barriers to deter incidents.
The growing sophistication of criminal networks has further complicated enforcement. Stolen merchandise is often sold quickly through online resale markets, making recovery difficult. The federal government’s plan to bolster financial crime units is expected to help track and disrupt these digital operations.
“Organized retail theft affects more than retailers,” RCC stated. “It impacts consumers through higher prices and communities through increased violence and fear. Stronger legal tools are essential to reversing this trend.”
The government’s proposed reforms will be included in Budget 2025, scheduled for release on November 4. Once tabled, the amendments will require parliamentary approval and cooperation from provincial justice systems for implementation.
