Surrey is sounding the alarm! The city is urging the federal government to declare a state of emergency due to a shocking surge in extortion crimes. In just this month, 35 suspected incidents have been reported, painting a grim picture of escalating fear and financial distress for residents and business owners alike.
This urgent plea comes from Surrey city council, who passed a motion on Monday night recognizing the need for special federal powers to tackle what they're calling a crisis. Mayor Brenda Locke, reading the motion, highlighted the "acute and escalating crisis of organized extortion, intimidation, and targeted shootings" that are causing significant fear, trauma, and economic harm.
Extortion has become a growing concern in several Lower Mainland cities, including Surrey, Abbotsford, and Delta. Many of these incidents target communities, particularly those with a predominantly South Asian population, who are facing threats and demands for money. To put it into perspective, 132 extortion attempts were recorded in Surrey in 2025 alone, with a staggering 49 of those involving shots fired at homes and businesses. This isn't just a local issue; similar cases have been reported in Abbotsford and Delta.
The motion passed by Surrey council isn't just a statement; it's a directive. It formally asks the Government of Canada to declare a federal state of emergency or implement equivalent extraordinary federal measures. But here's where it gets interesting: what exactly are these measures? The request includes appointing an extortion commissioner to spearhead the national response, deploying more RCMP federal organized crime units to Surrey, and speeding up the removal of non-citizens who are charged or convicted of extortion, firearm offenses, or involvement in such crimes.
And this is the part most people miss: Surrey council is also pushing for changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. They want to prevent refugee claims that are linked to extortion-related criminal investigations. Furthermore, they're advocating for measures that would allow for the identification of individuals charged, deported, or wanted for extortion-related offenses. The goal? To boost public awareness and deterrence. It's a bold move, aiming to shine a brighter light on those involved.
The council's motion also demands that the federal government provide quarterly reports to Canadians on the severity of extortion activities and the progress being made to resolve this crisis. The motion received unanimous support, with councillors expressing deep frustration. Coun. Pardeep Kooner shared a poignant sentiment, stating, "As a Surrey resident and a Canadian, I kind of feel like the federal laws have held us hostage… in the city that we love." This sentiment captures the feeling of being constrained by existing legal frameworks.
While Surrey takes this strong stance, it's worth noting that the federal government has been taking steps. In September, the Canada Border Services Agency joined a provincial task force to enhance investigations into extortion threats in B.C. In late November, a trilateral summit was held to discuss this very issue, bringing together leaders from all levels of government and enforcement agencies. Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree emphasized a commitment to "strengthening enforcement, victim support, and prevention" and "disrupting organized crime networks."
Financially, Ottawa has allocated $500,000 over two years for victim support and $200,000 to aid in investigations outside the provincial task force's scope. Proposed Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, is also intended to address extortion by making bail harder to obtain and increasing penalties for related offenses.
Now, over to you: Do you believe a federal state of emergency is the right approach to combat extortion? Or are the current measures and proposed legislation sufficient? Share your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your perspective!
