Manitobans do not need any lessons when it comes to the issue of auto theft.
Even though it is down by 62 percent in the last five years, just fewer than 4500 vehicles were still stolen in 2008.
The federal government has now introduced legislation to target car thieves more directly.
The proposed law would making theft of a motor vehicle its own specific offence, and bring with it a mandatory minimum jail time.
"This is a penalty of imprisonment, for six months, following a third or subsequent indictable conviction," explains St. Boniface M-P and former police officer Shelly Glover.
Provinces across Canada have been lobbying for the changes.
They have suggested that the way the criminal code is worded does not reflect the serious nature of the crime.
"Stealing a cow is an indictable offence, but stealing an auto wasn't," says Manitoba Justice Minister Dave Chomiak.
That is because auto theft until now has been considered a property crime.
Anyone convicted is found guilty of theft over $5000 or theft under $5000 depending on the value of the vehicle.
If the legislation passes, convictions will specifically reflect the fact a vehicle was stolen.
"They treat stealing the car no different from stealing a bicycle or chocolate bar. It's just a piece of property and has no meaning of violence to it, and really it is a violent crime when it is being stolen and operated," says Sgt. Doug Safioles of the Winnipeg Police Service.
It is considered violent because people have been injured and killed by drivers of stolen vehicles.
Under the proposed law it will not matter if a car is worth $1000 dollars, or $20,000.
The crime will be exactly the same.
With a report from CTV's Kelly Dehn
