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FEDERAL Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Ruby Sahota, federal Secretary of State for Combatting Crime, joined Premier David Eby, B.C. Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Nina Krieger, B.C. Attornry General Niki Sharma, municipal leaders and law enforcement officials for a trilateral summit on combatting extortion and organized crime, focussing on enforcement, victim support and prevention.

Leaders examined enforcement challenges and the critical role of federal, provincial and local agencies, including as part of the B.C. Extortion Task Force. The Task Force, led by the B.C. RCMP and including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and local police, is focusing on solutions and a coordinated response. To bolster enforcement, the B.C. RCMP has previously committed additional resources to the B.C. Extortion Task Force, while the CBSA has opened investigations into 96 foreign nationals who may be inadmissible and has now removed five individuals from Canada.

To strengthen Canadian law enforcement’s capacity to disrupt organized crime groups that control the illegal drug market in B.C., the federal government, in collaboration with the B.C. Government, is creating a Regional Integrated Drug Enforcement Team (RIDET). Backed by a federal investment of $4 million over four years, provided through Canada’s Border Plan, this team will bring together law and border enforcement resources from multiple agencies and jurisdictions to fight organized drug crime and combat extortion. To maximize collaboration, participants will co-locate in a centralized hub.

Building on these enforcement measures and in response to a request from B.C., leaders committed to expand community safety planning, strengthen supports for victims, and invest in prevention initiatives.

As part of this effort, the federal government and the B.C. Government are committing $1 million to support victims of extortion. The federal government is providing the Government of B.C. with $500,000 over two years, through Justice Canada’s Victims Fund, for four additional victim service and community outreach workers to assist the B.C. Extortion Task Force and local police. This funding will also support the development and translation of public resources, including webpages and safety planning tools, to improve cultural relevance and accessibility. The federal investment will be matched by the province and address the need for additional victim services and community outreach in Lower Mainland communities, particularly Abbotsford and Surrey.

In addition, the B.C. Government is committing $500,000 to the RCMP and police to enhance services for victims of extortion with safety planning and community outreach, and to purchase police equipment to enhance victim safety. The province will develop an online information hub for victims to enhance their security.

Recognizing the importance of tackling crime before it starts, the federal government also announced $1.5 million through Public Safety Canada’s Crime Prevention Action Fund for the Yo Bro Yo Girl Youth Initiative. The organization will launch a Youth Engagement Hub in Surrey to help divert vulnerable youth from gangs and organized crime through programs, mentorship, employment training, and counselling for up to 1,000 young people.

The summit concluded with a unified pledge to disrupt organized crime networks and protect businesses and residents across the Lower Mainland. Extortion is a serious crime. The federal government, the Government of B.C. and its partners urge anyone affected not to comply with demands and to report incidents to local police, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Multilingual services are available to make reporting safe and accessible. Help is available, the federal government says.

Anandasangaree said: “Extortion is a serious crime that threatens the safety of our communities and the well-being of families and businesses. Today’s summit was about bringing all orders of government along with law enforcement to the table and taking the time to listen to those impacted. Working together we will strengthen enforcement, victim support and prevention. We are committed to disrupting organized crime networks, expanding resources for victims, and ensuring that help is accessible to everyone.”

Eby said: “Families and business owners in the South Asian community have been living with fear and intimidation – they deserve a coordinated approach and real results. Today I am confirming that all levels of government and police agencies must work together to support victims and make sure those responsible are arrested and convicted urgently. Anything less is unacceptable to me and anyone affected by these brazen and threatening crimes.”

Dwayne McDonald, Deputy Commissioner, BC RCMP, said: “The RCMP is dedicated and committed to advancing efforts that ultimately prevent and identify those responsible for extortions. We are leading the BC Extortion Task Force, surging resources and enhancing coordination and intelligence sharing efforts with our law enforcement partners across the province and country. These collective efforts continue to expand and progress is being made.”

Quick Facts

• The B.C. Extortion Task Force, is a joint operation established in September 2025. This dedicated, full-time joint operation, brings together the RCMP, CBSA, Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU)–B.C., and Delta Police Department, Metro Vancouver Transit Police, Abbotsford Police Department, and Surrey Police Service.
• At the recent G7 Interior and Security Ministers’ meeting in Ottawa ministers committed to strengthening collective action against transnational organized crime by leveraging “follow-the-money” strategies, adapting counter-terrorism and cyber security measures, and enhancing global cooperation to disrupt high-threat criminal networks.
• The Bishnoi Gang is now listed as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code, giving law enforcement stronger tools to disrupt its violent tactics.