As part of the provincial government’s plan to address the significant increase in catalytic converter thefts, scrap metal recyclers in Manitoba will now have to follow strict regulations when buying and selling.

On Monday, the Scrap Metal Act (Bill 9) and its corresponding scrap metal regulation came into effect. 

When the Act was initially introduced in December 2021, Manitoba Public Insurance told CBC there had been a 450 per cent increase in catalytic converter thefts between 2020 and 2021.

Buyers are now required to record details of every transaction involving scrap metal, to keep the records for two years and to provide them to law enforcement when asked.

“With everything, there is a balance. There is more of an onus placed on the scrap dealers … but it is with that in mind of ensuring that the public also has their goods protected,” Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen told media at a Monday morning press conference.

This regulation applies to any used items made of aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, iron, lead, steel, stainless steel, tin or a prescribed metal or alloy.

Anyone wanting to sell restricted items containing precious metals, like catalytic converters, will now need to provide buyers with government identification, a photograph of their face, a description of their goods and details on how they acquired them. 

A buyer will not be able to accept the materials unless that information is provided.

Buyers will also keep a more detailed record of the transaction including the value of the goods and a licence plate number from the seller’s car.

These records must be submitted to the scrap metal dealer’s local law enforcement agency within seven days. 

The regulations prohibit cash transactions valued above $50.

WATCH | ‘Testing this out to see if this really has an impact’: Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen on new legislation:

‘Testing this out to see if this really has an impact’: Minister of Justice, Kelvin Goertzen on new legislation

New legislation aims to fight catalytic converter theft while balancing additional costs to scrap metal dealers and car owners

95 per cent drop in thefts since arrests: police

In June, Winnipeg police made three arrests after a four-month long investigation into catalytic converter thefts.

Police allege two of the suspects were stealing the car parts and taking them to a scrapyard in Springfield, Man., that was knowingly purchasing the stolen goods.

Staff Sgt. Josh Ewatski from the Winnipeg police says that since the arrests, reports of catalytic converter thefts have decreased by 95 per cent.

For several weeks, the number of reports has been in the single digits.

During a July 16 traffic stop, Winnipeg police seized five catalytic converters and made four more arrests. 

Crimestoppers has teamed up with 32 auto service centres in Winnipeg that can engrave catalytic converter’s with the vehicles serial number, and paint it in high visibility paint, to deter thieves. (CBC)

Auto service shops offering engraving services

With funding from Criminal Property Forfeiture, Crimestoppers has launched a campaign with auto service centres who will engrave vehicle owner’s catalytic converters to deter thieves.

The last eight numbers of a vehicle’s serial number will be engraved, and then the converter will be painted with high visibility paint. 

If an engraved converter is stolen and brought to a scrap …….

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/scrap-metal-act-takes-effect-1.6524078