Residents in B.C. were the most likely to have had a motor vehicle stolen in 1996: a rate of 927 per 100,000 population was stolen. The second highest theft rate was in Manitoba, where a rate of 895 vehicles per 1,000 vehicles was stolen. These rates represent a slight change in the pattern during the last decade when Quebec consistently recorded the highest rate.

The Ontario motor vehicle theft rate has increased each year since 1984, while other provinces have demonstrated some fluctuations in their rate. Manitoba's rate increased substantially from 1992 (336) to 1993 (706) and has continued to increase since that time.

Alberta's motor vehicle theft rate of 513 per 100,000 population in 1996 was 14% below the national rate of 596 and the lowest recorded among the western provinces. Only the Atlantic provinces recorded motor vehicle theft rates lower than Alberta.