British Columbia is gathering input on stemming catalytic converter theft in the province and is calling on the public and industry to create effective strategies from a set of possible initiatives.

The consultation opened in February and is scheduled to close on March 14, 2024.

According to ICBC, reported 6,143 catalytic converter thefts across B.C. in 2022 and 2,931 in the first seven months of 2023.  Claims involving catalytic converters in the first seven months of 2023 totalled approximately $8.2 million in British Columbia.

The province’s online public survey to seek input from industry, interested parties and the public about five possible actions to address catalytic converter thefts, including:

• enhancing the reporting of seller information to the police;
• establishing a centralized electronic-reporting system so police can access information across jurisdictions;
• eliminating the exemption for commercial entities purchasing large volumes and instead requiring them to report individual purchases;
• adding an etching process to carve identification numbers onto catalytic converters; and
• removing the mobile metal dealer exemption to place the same reporting requirement on mobile dealers that are in place for established metal dealers and recyclers.

Participants can also submit their own ideas about how to curb the thefts.

In March 2022, the Province amended the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Regulation to include catalytic converters as regulated metal and require metal dealers to report the purchase of catalytic converters to police as one way to address the thefts.

Recognizing that catalytic converters are sold outside of the framework of registered metal dealers, the Province continues to work with partner organizations and other jurisdictions to identify solutions. This could include new initiatives and further legislative amendments. 

To participate in the engagement, visit: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/govtogetherbc/engagement/catalytic-converter-theft/

To learn more about 2022 amendment to the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Regulation, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022PSSG0016-000309