The Higgs government will propose amendments in the legislative assembly regarding the theft of catalytic converters and other commonly stolen goods.

The changes would be to the Salvage Dealers Licensing Act and would aim to reduce criminal activity by no longer allowing salvage dealers to pay cash for stolen items and by doubling the fines for violating any provision of the act or regulations.

It comes as officials in New Brunswick have seen an increase in the theft of catalytic converters from the vehicles of businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and individuals in recent months.

“We recognize that catalytic converter theft is an issue in our province,” said Public Safety Minister Kris Austin.

“We know we can’t stop every theft, but we can make it harder for criminals to sell these stolen goods,” added Austin.

The Higgs government will also propose amendments to the General Regulation of the act.

The amendments include:

• Adding catalytic converters and vehicle batteries to subsection 3(5) of the General Regulation which outlines commonly stolen items for which salvage dealers must record specific information. Items currently identified in the regulation are plumbers’ lead, brass valves, copper and lead flashing, and copper wire.
• Requiring salvage dealers to collect additional information for items they buy that fall under subsection 3(5) of the General Regulation, including a government-issued ID of the seller, and the registration information of the car from which a catalytic converter originated.