Federal officials say potential support measures are being actively considered as extortion crimes increase in Peel Region.
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree confirmed Ottawa is reviewing proposals from Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, who says the scale and organised nature of the crimes go beyond what local police and city resources can handle alone.
In a letter sent earlier this month, Brown called on the federal government to fund a dedicated extortion and organised crime task force for Peel, similar to one already operating in British Columbia. He also asked for funding to support victims and improve community outreach, along with better intelligence-sharing between federal, provincial and municipal police.
Anandasangaree said the federal government shares Brampton’s concerns and believes tackling extortion works best when all levels of government work together. He confirmed a summit will be held in Peel this January, bringing together governments and law enforcement to address the issue.
Brown has also asked Ontario Premier Doug Ford and the province’s solicitor general to take urgent action, including creating a dedicated victim support fund. The mayor says this would help victims come forward and strengthen public confidence.
Ford said the province is using every available resource to fight extortion and urged victims to contact police right away, expressing confidence in the RCMP, OPP, and regional police task forces.
Peel police report a sharp rise in extortion cases involving businesses, with incidents jumping from 50 in 2023 to more than 150 in 2024, and even more reported so far this year.
Community concern has also grown, with Sikh organisations recently hosting a town hall in Brampton to address what they describe as an unprecedented wave of extortion targeting families and businesses.
(Source: Brampton Guardian)
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