Calgary bylaw change aims to reduce catalytic converter thefts

Calgary city council approved new ways to reduce the ongoing theft of catalytic converters, with changes going into effect immediately.

Amendments were made to the Business License Bylaw, which will now require salvage collectors, auto wreckers, and salvage yard businesses to keep a sales record of the seller’s and buyer’s details.

The record must also include the VIN, make, model, colour, and year of the car that the catalytic converter originated from.

The city says all businesses must maintain the sale records with the listed information for one year.

In addition, buyers cannot purchase catalytic converters when the required information is not provided, and they cannot remove or deface any of the “existing identifying markings on the catalytic converter” before or after the sale.

The city says salvage yard, auto wreckers, and salvage collectors must adhere to the new requirements or face fines of up to $3,000 per offence for failing to comply.

WATCH: Calgary City Council votes to raise catalytic converter theft fines

Meanwhile, motor vehicle repair, service, and auto body shops selling used auto parts must comply with the same standards starting Jan. 1, 2024.

Those business owners must add a salvage collector licence category to their business licence when they renew and may require a police check for a minimum cost of $65.

Calgary police say there was nearly 3,500 reports of catalytic converters thefts in 2022, an over 50 per cent increase from 2021, which was around 1,560.

There have been 994 reported thefts from January to March 2023.

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“Catalytic converter thefts across Calgary have continued to rise year over year,” says Deputy Chief Chad Tawfik of the Calgary Police Service.

“We are pleased to see initiatives like updates to the business bylaw that will make it easier to track the sale of catalytic converters to salvage collectors, auto wreckers and salvage yards, and make it more difficult for people to anonymously sell them and profit from the thefts.”

In the meantime, the city says it will provide salvage yard business owners with support material and training to “ensure they are aware of and trained on the updated requirements.”

The city says there is no official “grace period” for compliance, but it will work with businesses to implement the new requirements as needed.

“We have an exceptional team of representatives that will work with all motor vehicle repair, auto body shops and service businesses in the new year to renew their existing licences and add the new category to their business licence,” the Manager of Business and Building Safety at The City of Calgary, Ulrik Seward, said.

“Our goal is to ensure a smooth and effortless transition process for the customer.”