The Conservatives are proposing new regulations in response to the increasing problem of extortion across Canada. According to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, extortion rates have surged in Ontario by 263 percent, Alberta by 284 percent, and British Columbia by 386 percent. This alarming trend has led to concern and raised the urgency for action.
Poilievre made these remarks at a press conference held on Feb. 9, where he highlighted a shooting incident targeting a commercial establishment in Surrey, B.C. The issue has also been underscored by a report from Statistics Canada, indicating that the frequency of police-reported extortion has been steadily increasing over the past three years, reaching an all-time high in 2022.
The Conservatives argue that the rise in extortion cases has been exacerbated by the Trudeau administration’s leniency towards criminals, particularly gang members and extortionists. The resulting increase in crime rates has triggered appeals from mayors in British Columbia and Ontario to the Prime Minister’s Office for action.
In response, the Conservatives are proposing a suite of new legislation aimed at curbing extortion. The measures include introducing mandatory prison sentences of three years for individuals convicted of extortion, with a longer mandatory sentence of five years for those acting on behalf of gangs and organized crime. Moreover, the proposed legislation will reintroduce a mandatory four-year sentence for extortion involving a firearm.
The proposal also seeks to establish arson as an aggravating factor in extortion cases, which could potentially lead to harsher penalties. However, concerns have been raised about the constitutionality of mandatory minimum sentences, with mandatory prison sentences having been previously struck down by the Supreme Court. Nevertheless, Poilievre maintains that their proposals respect the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In addition to legislative measures, Toronto’s Peel police have set up an Extortion Investigative Task Force to address the ongoing threat of extortion. This task force, established in response to reports from South Asian business owners about threats of violence and extortion, has been actively investigating 29 cases and recently charged five individuals linked to these cases.
Superintendent Shelley Thompson, the leader of the task force, revealed that in nine of these cases, shots were fired at businesses, although no injuries have been reported. The businesses targeted by extortion include restaurants, bakeries, trucking and transport firms, and independent used car dealerships, all owned by South Asians. Extortion threats have been made through phone calls, social media platforms, and video calling services like WhatsApp. These incidents have further fueled the urgency for addressing the rising prevalence of extortion and violence.