“The Attorney General must immediately assign dedicated Crown prosecutors to work directly with police the moment an extortion file is opened. This is how we ensure meaningful charges are approved and these violent criminals face justice.”

– Steve Kooner, Critic for Attorney General, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough

RICHMOND, BC: MLA Steve Kooner, Conservative Critic for Attorney General, says the NDP statement on seven extortion-related charges shows the disconnect between the government and the scale of the extortion crisis spreading across the province.

“The Minister talks about seven charges being laid, but Surrey alone has had over 50 separate extortion investigations,” said MLA Kooner. “When you add the cases in neighbouring municipalities, the scale of the crisis becomes staggering. Seven charges are simply a drop in the bucket when considering the scope of the organised extortion campaign South Asian families and businesses are facing.”

MLA Kooner says the NDP government continues to miss the core issue of charge approval. Despite boasting of new task forces and funding, the government has refused to embed dedicated Crown prosecutors within the BC Extortion Task Force, a step Conservatives have repeatedly called for.

“Police can investigate all they want, but if charges aren’t approved, criminals will walk free,” MLA Kooner said. “The Attorney General must immediately assign dedicated Crown prosecutors to work directly with police the moment an extortion file is opened. This is how we ensure meaningful charges are approved and these violent criminals face justice.”

MLA Kooner added that the lack of coordination between law enforcement and the Attorney General’s office is severely undermining public confidence.

“Families, business owners, and now journalists are facing targeted threats. The NDP keep issuing press releases while the extortion crisis spreads. Communities need real results and stronger prosecutions, not more photo ops.”

Conservatives will continue to demand reforms to ensure our justice system keeps pace with organized crime and protects the public from violence and intimidation.

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Media Contact:
Robert Eales, Communications Officer
Robert.Eales@leg.bc.ca
+1 (778) 967-2818