British Columbia (Rajeev Sharma): A surge in violent extortion schemes across the province has prompted renewed demands for Ottawa to classify such offences as acts of terrorism, as police, lawmakers, and community leaders warn the crisis is spiralling beyond traditional organized crime.
The latest flashpoint came after the Law Society of British Columbia alerted its members on November 14 to a string of threats directed at practising lawyers. The notice described phone calls and messages demanding significant sums of money, including explicit warnings of harm should victims refuse to comply — a development that has rattled the legal sector.
Conservative legislator and lawyer Steve Kooner responded sharply, calling the targeting of legal professionals “a direct assault on the justice system itself.” In a statement and accompanying video, he urged the federal government to bring extortion under terrorism provisions, arguing that coordinated violence aimed at those responsible for upholding the law must be treated with the utmost severity.
RCMP Urges Victims Not to Pay
The RCMP confirmed awareness of rising threats, though spokesperson Vanessa Munn said investigators could not publicly confirm whether lawyers were among the active cases. She reiterated long-standing police guidance: victims should refuse to pay and file reports immediately.
Privacy rules prevented the Law Society from disclosing the locations of targeted lawyers. Investigations may be handled by the provincial Extortion Task Force, the multi-agency unit created this fall in response to the escalating crisis.
Wave of Attacks Shows No Signs of Slowing
Extortion has evolved rapidly since late 2023, when incidents first emerged in the Lower Mainland. By the end of 2025, the problem had deepened considerably, with more than 100 cases reported across the province. Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley remain the hardest hit.
Police say the extortionists typically contact victims through encrypted social media platforms, demanding cryptocurrency transfers. Non-compliance often brings violent reprisals ranging from arson attempts to drive-by shootings and vandalism. Surrey RCMP documented 95 extortion complaints and 45 associated shootings this year alone. Abbotsford Police reported 40 cases by September, including multiple gunfire incidents linked to extortion.
Punjabi Community at the Center of Crisis
Many of the victims — and some of the accused — belong to British Columbia’s Punjabi community, which spans multiple cities in the Lower Mainland. Business owners in real estate, hospitality, trucking, and retail have been frequent targets. Officers say several suspects have ties to organized crime groups operating in India, particularly from Punjab and Haryana.
The crisis traces its roots to a July 2023 shooting at the B.C. residence of musician AP Dhillon, allegedly linked to extortion threats from the Bishnoi gang. Since then, similar rackets have surfaced in Ontario, affecting South Asian–owned stores and restaurants.
The Bishnoi network, which Canada designated a terrorist organization this year, has been repeatedly cited by intelligence agencies as a key driver of the extortion surge.
High-Profile Victims Speak Out
Several residents have publicly shared their experiences to draw attention to the problem. Surrey temple president Satish Kumar endured multiple shootings at his home and attacks on his businesses before calling for urgent action. Abbotsford businessman Arshdeep Singh Arora reported a firebombing attempt at his property in August, followed by a chilling online ultimatum threatening his life.
Their stories, widely circulated in Punjabi-language media, have heightened community anxiety and triggered town halls and safety briefings across the region.
Government Response: Multi-Agency Crackdown
As part of its response, the Canada Border Services Agency deported three foreign nationals on November 7, marking the first removals under the new enforcement push linked to the extortion network. CBSA official Nina Patel said the agency is committed to “swift removal of individuals who endanger the safety of Canadian neighbourhoods.”
The provincial government has also expanded its anti-gang efforts. The BC Extortion Task Force, launched on September 17, brings together the RCMP, municipal police services, the CFSEU-BC gang unit, transit police, and federal border officials. The unit is funded through B.C.’s annual $100 million anti-gang budget and an additional $11 million from the federal government.
In June, Crime Stoppers launched a broad awareness campaign in English and Punjabi encouraging anonymous tips, reflecting the scale of fear in affected communities.
Debate Over Terrorism Label Intensifies
As threats spread from shopkeepers and homeowners to lawyers and public figures, pressure is mounting on federal leaders to reassess how extortion is defined under Canadian law. Proponents argue the pattern of coordinated violence and international links meets the threshold for terrorism, while critics warn that such a move would require a complex legal overhaul.
For now, residents — particularly within British Columbia’s Punjabi diaspora — remain caught between fear and uncertainty as extortionists continue to test the limits of law enforcement and government resolve.
