“Families, businesses and now the media are under attack. Shots were fired this week at a Surrey radio station. Ottawa must act decisively and aggressively to dismantle the foreign criminal networks preying on our communities.”
– Steve Kooner, Critic for Attorney General, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough
RICHMOND, BC: Steve Kooner, Official Opposition Critic for Attorney General and MLA for Richmond–Queensborough, is calling on the federal government to implement additional measures to protect British Columbians and Canadians from the escalating threat of extortion, intimidation and violence linked to the Bishnoi gang, affiliates and copycats.
MLA Kooner welcomed the federal government’s decision to designate the Bishnoi gang a terrorist organization as a “critical and welcome step,” but stressed additional measures are urgently required.
“Families, businesses and now the media are under attack. Shots were fired this week at a Surrey radio station. Ottawa must act decisively and aggressively to dismantle the foreign criminal networks preying on our communities,” MLA Kooner stated.
MLA Kooner has sent an open letter to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Hon. Sean Fraser. The letter outlines six concrete steps for the federal government to implement without delay:
- Deport Foreign Criminals: Immediately deport non-citizens responsible for extortion and those affiliated with international gangs linked to extortion.
- Mandatory Sentencing for Extortion: Establish strict sentencing rules to ensure deterrence and accountability.
- Extortion Bail Reform: Introduce reverse onus bail for all extortion charges.
- Dedicated Coordinated Prosecutions: Ensure dedicated Federal and Provincial Crown prosecutors work directly with police from the outset.
- Intelligence and Evidence-Gathering: Strengthen surveillance, case-building and early disruption efforts.
- International Cooperation: Negotiate agreements with foreign governments, particularly India, to dismantle gangs at home and abroad.
MLA Kooner repeatedly raised alarms about the extortion crisis in British Columbia, including writing to the Attorney General of British Columbia, but received no response.
Given escalating violence, MLA Kooner is calling on Ottawa to take direct leadership.
“This is not an ordinary crime. Extortion perpetrated by foreign criminal gangs is undermining immediate public safety, press freedom and national security,” said MLA Kooner. “Ottawa must move beyond symbolic designations and restore security for communities. British Columbians and Canadians cannot afford further delay.”
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Media Contact:
Robert Eales, Communications Officer
Robert.Eales@leg.bc.ca
+1 (778) 967-2818
