Canada, British Columbia launch joint crackdown on extortion and organised crime

Crimes authorities say are increasingly linked to organised networks and often carried out online through threats and intimidation.

Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Secretary of State for Combatting Crime Ruby Sahota joined B.C. Premier David Eby, Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger, Attorney General Niki Sharma, municipal officials and law-enforcement leaders at a trilateral summit in Surrey to discuss enforcement challenges and supports for victims.

“These crimes are serious, violent and deeply destabilising for the people and businesses being targeted,” Anandasangaree said according to an official release.

“We are working closely with British Columbia and local police to disrupt these criminal networks and protect the communities they are threatening, he stated further.

The summit highlighted the work of the B.C. Extortion Task Force, led by the RCMP with support from the Canada Border Services Agency and local police departments.

The CBSA has opened investigations into 96 foreign nationals who may be inadmissible due to suspected criminal involvement and has removed five individuals from Canada. The RCMP has also deployed additional resources to support the task force.

To further strengthen enforcement, Ottawa and B.C. will create a Regional Integrated Drug Enforcement Team to target organised crime groups operating in the illegal drug market.

The initiative will be supported by $4 million in federal funding over four years through Canada’s Border Plan and will co-locate federal, provincial and municipal agencies under one unit.

“Organised crime is adapting quickly, and we must move even faster,” Eby said. “People in B.C. deserve to feel safe in their homes and businesses. This partnership will allow our police and public safety teams to take coordinated action to stop extortion before it turns into violence.”

In response to a request from the province, both governments also committed $1 million to expand victim services and prevention programmes.

Ottawa will provide $500,000 through the Justice Canada Victims Fund for additional service workers, community outreach and translated safety resources.

The province will match the funding for victim support, police equipment and an online security information hub.

“Victims need to know they are not alone, and help is available,” Sahota said. “No one should feel they must comply with threats from criminals.”

As part of prevention efforts, the federal government announced $1.5 million for the Yo Bro Yo Girl Youth Initiative to launch a Youth Engagement Hub in Surrey, providing mentorship, job training and counselling for up to 1,000 young people at risk of gang involvement.

The summit concluded with a joint commitment to collaborate with Indigenous communities, local governments and law enforcement to disrupt organised crime networks.

Officials urged victims not to comply with extortion demands and to report incidents to local police or anonymously to Crime Stoppers. Multilingual support services are available.

“Extortion is a devastating crime that affects entire communities,” Sharma said. “Together, we are standing firm to protect residents and restore safety.”

The violence has surged since 2023, with more than 40 shootings reported in Surrey this year and 75 victims identified, according to RCMP figures cited by CBC.

High-profile attacks, including the October shooting at comedian Kapil Sharma’s Surrey café, along with threats against lawyers and other legal professionals, have intensified public concern.

City officials reaffirmed Surrey’s earlier announcement of a $250,000 reward for information leading to convictions, calling it a critical tool in the investigation.