Patrick Brown, the mayor of Brampton, is urging Ottawa to act fast, warning that an escalating extortion crisis could soon spread to every major city across Canada if stronger federal measures aren’t put in place.
In recent public remarks and an opinion piece, Brown said organized crime groups are increasingly using encrypted apps like WhatsApp to intimidate local business owners—often demanding “protection money.” While many cases start with threatening calls or messages, some have turned violent. Brown has also said alleged threats personally targeted him.
The problem has been growing steadily in Peel Region, where extortion complaints have surged since 2020. Police recorded 490 incidents in 2024. While total cases dipped slightly in 2025, extortion aimed specifically at businesses continues to climb, with 172 incidents reported so far this year.
Brown says police need faster and more effective access to digital subscriber and transmission data to identify suspects before attacks occur. He’s pointed to earlier federal proposals that would have modernized lawful access to electronic records, calling them essential tools for modern policing.
He’s also backing proposed border legislation that would strengthen the ability of Canadian agencies to intercept smuggled firearms, illegal drugs, and stolen vehicles, while tightening immigration controls tied to organized crime.
Without stronger federal action, Brown warns, the criminal networks behind these schemes will only expand—moving well beyond the regions currently affected and putting communities across the country at risk.
(Source: RED Toronto News)
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