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Canadian mayors seek action against extortion of Indian-origin businesses
The mayors wrote to the Minister of Public Safety, calling for immediate action.
Patrick Brown and Brenda Locke / Images - City of Brampton, City of Surrey
Two mayors in Canada have called on the Justin Trudeau-led government to carry out a coordinated, multi-jurisdictional strategy to counter the increasing number of extortion threats targeting South Asian businesses in their cities.
Mayors Patrick Brown of Brampton, Ontario, and Brenda Locke of Surrey, British Columbia, expressed deep concern over the escalating extortion threats faced by South Asian businesses in their regions.
They conveyed their concerns in a letter to the Minister of Public Safety, calling for immediate actions to ensure the safety of South Asians, according to a report by media outlet CBC.
"These incidents have instilled fear in our communities and highlight the urgent need for a coordinated response involving multiple jurisdictions," the letter signed by Brown and Locke noted. "We urge your ministry to recognize the inter-jurisdictional nature of these threats and to spearhead a coordinated response that ensures the safety and security of all affected communities across Canada."
Peel police chief Nishan Duraiappah revealed that the number of extortion threats in the region has increased from nine in December 2023 to 20 in January 2024, in an interview with CBC Radio's Metro Morning. At least six incidents were associated with violence, including shootings at business properties.
Police services have acknowledged the severity of the situation, emphasizing the need for urgent and coordinated actions to address the escalating threat to South Asian businesses.
"It is imperative the federal government, through your ministry, takes a leading role in facilitating this collaboration. By leveraging the resources and intelligence capabilities of the RCMP, in concert with local law enforcement agencies, we can formulate a robust and unified approach to tackle this issue
Brown informed CBC Toronto that multiple South Asian business owners have been reaching out to his office, expressing concerns about their safety,” the Mayors’ letter added.
A spokesperson for the federal public safety minister mentioned that the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) is collaborating with local police forces to address the issue. "These threats of extortion are deeply concerning," Jean-Sebastien Comeau wrote in a statement. "If Canadians suspect they are the target of an extortion attempt, they should report it immediately to their local police force."
"I'd like to hear from the public safety minister that they have spoken to their counterparts in India, that the government of Canada has requested the full cooperation of law enforcement agencies there to make sure that we can apprehend the individuals behind these calls," Brown noted.
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