Officials unveiled details of new legislation that features specific penalties for auto theft on Thursday.

Bill S-9 provides amendments to the Criminal Code, which include a new mandatory six-month prison sentence for anyone convicted of stealing vehicles three or more times.

The bill makes auto theft a separate offence under the Criminal Code, instead of it being included previously under the banner of general theft.

"Our law enforcement and prosecutors need better tools to fight these serious crimes," said Vic Toews, minister of public safety.

Toews made the announcement Thursday alongside Andrew Swan, the province's justice minister, and Winnipeg Police Chief Keith McCaskill.

Swan said the province supported the federal government's measures to tackle auto theft.

""It is very important that repeat offenders get a clear message and a clear statement on their records that they have been involved in car theft," said Swan.

The province also noted that auto theft is at its lowest point in Winnipeg in 17 years, with officials crediting the immobilizer program and the auto-theft suppression strategy, involving police, MPI and government.

In 2006, during the height of auto theft, one vehicle was stolen every hour in Winnipeg. Now, it's usually once every four days, said officials.

"To actually put people behind bars—sometimes you have do that because citizen safety comes first, no matter what," said Winnipeg Police Chief McCaskill.

The new legislation applies only to adults. Some wonder if the new changes will have much of an impact since it does not apply to young offenders.

"I think there needs to be stricter laws for youth," said Mike Cook, 26.

As a teen, he used to steal cars. He said as a youth, the penalties were "a slap on the wrist." At age 20, he got caught and spent time behind bars, which he credits with helping him decide to leave behind crime.

Cook now works as a mentor to help other youths.

The federal government acknowledged that changes need to be made to the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

"As I say - one step at a time. We certainly understand there needs to be amendments to the youth criminal justice act," said Toews.

- with a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley