Canada: Surrey Council Calls for National Action as Extortion Violence Spreads Across
Canada: The City Council of Surrey, British Columbia, has formally asked Canada’s federal government to launch an urgent, nationwide response to a growing wave of extortion and gang-related violence. The appeal comes amid mounting concern over threats, shootings, and killings that have increasingly affected residents and business owners, particularly within South Asian communities.
City officials say the scale and persistence of the crimes now go beyond the capacity of local law enforcement and require coordinated action at the national level. Surrey has emerged as one of the hardest-hit cities, but similar incidents are being reported across multiple provinces.
Rising Number of Extortion Attempts
Police data from Surrey shows a troubling upward trend. Last year alone, authorities investigated 132 extortion attempts in the city, with at least 49 cases involving gunfire. Of these incidents, 35 were classified as serious and credible threats linked to organized crime networks.
Law enforcement agencies in British Columbia note that a significant number of cases have targeted South Asian business owners. Officials say extortion demands often involve threats of violence, property damage, or harm to family members if payments are not made.
Business Community Under Pressure
Several high-profile killings over the past year have intensified fears among entrepreneurs and community leaders. In recent months, multiple business owners of Punjabi origin have been shot and killed in different parts of Canada, often at or near their workplaces or homes.
In Surrey, a 48-year-old banquet hall owner was fatally shot earlier this month. Last October, a 68-year-old executive of an international education consultancy was killed outside his residence in Abbotsford. Similar attacks have been reported in Ontario, including the killing of a trucking safety and insurance consultant in Mississauga.
Fatal Shootings Across Provinces
The violence has not been limited to business owners. In Edmonton, two Punjabi students, aged 27 and 18, were shot dead in separate incidents. In British Columbia, a 28-year-old man from Vancouver was killed in Burnaby only days ago, with investigators examining possible gang rivalries as a motive.
Authorities are also probing the involvement of more than 100 foreign nationals in extortion cases nationwide. Many of those under investigation are believed to have links to criminal networks operating across borders, complicating enforcement efforts.
Mayor Warns of Growing Fear
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has described the situation as unprecedented for the city. She said residents and business operators are living under constant anxiety, uncertain about their safety despite increased police activity.
According to the mayor, local law enforcement is working aggressively to respond to threats, but fragmented efforts are not enough to stop organized extortion networks that operate across jurisdictions. She stressed the need for preventive measures, intelligence sharing, and long-term strategies.
Call for Federal Leadership
In a letter to the federal Minister of Public Safety, Mayor Locke urged Ottawa to appoint a national extortion commissioner. The proposed role would bring together police services, provincial and federal agencies, policy experts, and community representatives to address the root causes of the violence.
Locke also pointed to commitments made during a trilateral meeting in Surrey last November, where federal and provincial leaders pledged to confront the issue. Since that meeting, however, extortion reports across Canada have continued to climb.
A Nationwide Challenge
Since 2023, nearly 1,500 extortion-related cases have been reported across the country. Surrey alone has recorded 34 incidents in just the past three weeks, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Municipal leaders argue that without a coordinated national framework, cities will remain vulnerable to organized criminal groups that exploit fear and target specific communities. They are calling for stronger laws, enhanced witness protection, and greater support for victims to come forward without fear of retaliation.