COLUMN: On Parliament Hill – Extortion: A growing problem

Growing up in Canada, extortion was not a crime I often heard about. Today, however, it is appearing frequently in Canadian news and police reports. Extortion is defined as “the act of obtaining money, property, or services through coercion, violence, or threats.” Usually, the criminal offense employs intimidation tactics forcing the individual(s) to do something against their will.

According to Surrey Police in British Columbia, there has been a staggering 2,400 percent increase in extortion during the first three months of 2026, and a 300 percent increase in shots fired year over year.

That’s why this past weekend, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was in Surrey addressing growing public concerns about crime in Canada. Across B.C., violent crime has risen by nearly 50 percent, sexual assaults have increased 95 percent, and extortion has skyrocketed 481 percent in the last decade. However, the growing challenge isn’t unique to Surrey. Since 2015, Canada has experienced a 55 percent increase in violent crime and a 330 percent surge in extortion.

In his statement, Mr. Poilievre referred to the Liberal “catch-and-release” legislation. He stated that “Liberal bill C-75 weakened bail by telling police and judges to release accused criminals at the earliest opportunity and under the least restrictive conditions. Bill C-5 reduced sentences for serious crimes including drug trafficking, extortion with a firearm, and robbery with a firearm.”

Conservatives have continuously pointed out that, over the past decade, these laws have allowed repeat offenders to cycle back onto Canadian streets contributing to the growing concerns and fear in Canadian neighbourhoods. While projecting an illusion of getting tough with crime, Mr. Carney’s flagship legislation, Bill C-16, would allow judges to bypass almost any mandatory minimum sentences. Conservatives argue that they cannot endorse measures they believe would continue the current approach to crime and sentencing.

Circulating on social media this past weekend was a clip from Mr. Poilievre’s press conference in which a reporter questioned whether first-time offenders should face less severe consequences. The question may have stemmed from Mr. Poilievre’s repeated focus on the failure of the justice system to adequately deal with repeat offenders in Canada. However, when it comes to foreign nationals involved in organized criminal activity, Conservatives argue that deportation should occur regardless of whether the offence is a first-time incident or part of a repeated pattern of criminal behaviour.

This includes those associated with gangs and members of the Bishnoi Gang, a group officially identified as a terrorist organization after sustained Conservative pressure. Furthermore, there are Liberal-appointed IRB (Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada) members who need to be dismissed. Conservative Bill C-220 would have assisted this process by preventing judges from using immigration status to reduce a sentence, but Liberals voted against it.

Last week, Peel Regional Police in Ontario charged 17 non-Canadians in a violent extortion investigation. The Toronto Sun reported, “Victims from the South Asian community were allegedly told to fork over cash payments or their homes or businesses would be shot up or burned down.” The individuals targeted knew these were not empty threats, as the victims had already witnessed the increased violence against other businesses, restaurants and trucking companies who refused to comply.

Similarly, the Globe and Mail reported that extortion-linked transactions identified by the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC ) are an increasing threat to Canadians’ safety. The report cited the mayors of Brampton and Surrey calling for the problem be declared a national emergency. FINTRAC identified 100 disclosures, involving over 300 people and more than 63,000 transactions of “actionable financial intelligence relating to extortion” since the beginning of the year.

Conservatives will continue to press these issues alongside police chiefs and provincial premiers. Canadians need to know that their government is prioritizing safety and protecting families and communities. Families need better laws to protect their loved ones. That’s why Conservatives are calling on the Liberal government to take immediate action through several proposed measures:

• Removing the get-out-of-jail-free card clause in Bill C-16 would allow for mandatory minimums to be respected.

• Bringing forward a bill to impose mandatory minimum of 10 years for extortion when tied to organized crime or if an illegal firearm is used.

• Finding and deporting visiting criminals associated with organized terrorism.

• Passing the “Stand on Guard” principle into law which involves amending section 34 of the Criminal Code so that force is presumed to be justified if used against an intruder.

As Mr. Poilievre said, “Canadians deserve safe streets for families, not softer sentences for criminals.”

Conservatives believe that achieving that goal will require stronger laws, consistent enforcement, and a justice system that places greater emphasis on protecting victims and communities.

Let’s make that happen.