Polievre is pledging to improve security at ports as part of a plan to tackle car theft

MONTREAL – Conservative leader Pierre Poillevre has pledged to improve security at the country's ports as part of a plan to combat car theft.

Polievre said it will purchase better X-ray screening equipment and hire 75 additional staff to manage it when it makes the announcement at the Port of Montreal.

He described the port as a “parking lot for stolen cars” and blamed it on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

He said two dozen machines capable of scanning cargo containers will be deployed at major ports in Montreal, Halifax, Vancouver and Prince Rupert, B.C.

Polievre said the X-ray machines, which can inspect 150 containers an hour, will be funded by getting rid of consultants hired by the Canada Border Services Agency, which will save $165 million.

The Conservative leader outlined his party's proposals to combat car theft this week ahead of Thursday's summit in Ottawa.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 6, 2024.