Surrey Mayor urging federal government to designate extortion...

Today, I am joining calls for the federal government to declare the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and any other groups involved in extortion and violence targeting Canadians of South Asian descent as terrorist organizations under Canadian law.

Whether these groups operate locally or internationally, this designation is a critical step in equipping law enforcement with the necessary tools to dismantle these dangerous networks and protect our residents and businesses.

The violence and intimidation our community faces are unacceptable. We have seen a disturbing rise in extortions, threats of violence, and ongoing shootings linked to these criminal organizations. Such acts are not only criminal they are economic terrorism. They destabilize our community’s safety, and we now have a public safety crisis.

Declaring these gangs as terrorist entities will enable police to pursue them with greater authority, freeze assets, and strengthen investigations, ultimately making our streets safer.

This step can make a real difference. It will provide law enforcement with expanded powers to dismantle these networks, seize illicit assets, and prevent further harm. It sends a clear message that such criminal activity will not be tolerated, and the full force of Canadian law will be used to protect our residents.