NINA Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, on Friday said that she has written the federal government “reaffirming B.C.’s commitment to partnership and our continued openness to additional federal resources and support to combat extortion.”
Krieger said in a statement, following Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke’s appeal to the provincial and federal governments for 150 additional officers to combat extortion in her city, that “extortion is a serious crime impacting people, businesses and communities across Canada — with disproportionate impacts on the South Asian community in British Columbia, requiring an integrated local, national and international policing approach.”
She added: “For almost two years, the Government of B.C. has been asking the federal government for additional federal policing resources to support our fight against organized crime and to keep our borders and ports secure. Premier [David] Eby conveyed this need and asked the Prime Minister for additional supports during his most recent trip to Ottawa. We established the B.C. Extortion Task Force to coordinate efforts across jurisdictions by bringing together agencies from throughout the Province. Led by the BC RCMP, its membership includes the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit BC (CFSEU-BC), Delta Police, Surrey Police, Abbotsford Police, Metro Vancouver Transit Police and the Canada Border Services Agency.
“The Task Force is also liaising with agencies across Canada and there is a high level of coordination that is underway among all of our law enforcement partners and the federal government.
“I have written the federal government reaffirming B.C.’s commitment to partnership and our continued openness to additional federal resources and support to combat extortion.”
Krieger said that the letter outlines specific measures for additional federal support, including:
• Additional RCMP Federal Policing officers and analysts the Government of Canada can assign to the B.C. Extortion Task Force.
• Additional federal dollars for victim supports including community outreach and safety planning.
• Enhanced federal intelligence coordination, including dedicated liaisons and expedited tactical disclosures.
She added: “While it’s encouraging to see early results from coordinated investigations with arrests and charges, this violence continues in our communities. We will accept all supports available and work together to bring extortionists to justice. Our shared objective is straightforward — British Columbians and all Canadians deserve to live and do business without fear of threats. We will continue to work together with the federal government to coordinate all available resources to help bring this violence to an end.”
