SURREY Mayor Brenda Locke said in a statement on Thursday: “The City of Surrey is grappling with a crisis. Every day, Surrey residents and business owners are living with the real impacts of extortion, violence and organized crime.

“The City strongly supports the federal government’s efforts to strengthen public safety through targeted Criminal Code, bail, and sentencing reforms, and improved enforcement measures, particularly Government of Canada Bill C-12 (border security and immigration system integrity) and Bill C-14 (bail and sentencing reform). Most notably, this legislation would address a critical weakness in our laws by removing the ability of those charged with extortion or extortion-related offences to claim asylum.

“These changes are urgently needed, as our law enforcement officials require modern, effective tools to disrupt criminal networks, secure our border, and ensure meaningful consequences for repeat and violent offenders.”