Surrey, B.C, January 28, 2026: The City of Surrey is calling on the federal government to declare a state of emergency in response to a sharp rise in extortion cases, with police recording 35 suspected incidents in the city so far this month alone.
Surrey city council unanimously approved a motion brought forward by Mayor Brenda Locke during a public hearing Monday night, citing growing concerns over organized crime, intimidation and targeted shootings.
“The City of Surrey is experiencing an acute and escalating crisis of organized extortion, intimidation, and targeted shootings resulting in fear, trauma, and economic harm to residents and business owners,” Locke said while reading the motion.
Extortion has become an increasing concern across parts of the Lower Mainland, including Surrey, Abbotsford and Delta. Many victims, particularly in predominantly South Asian communities, have reported receiving threats and demands for money.
According to city figures, Surrey recorded 132 extortion attempts in 2025, with 49 involving gunfire at homes or businesses. Dozens of similar cases were also reported in neighbouring Abbotsford and Delta.
The motion directs the mayor’s office to formally request that Ottawa declare a federal state of emergency or introduce comparable extraordinary measures to address what council describes as an organized extortion crisis.
Among the requests is the appointment of a national extortion commissioner to oversee the response, the deployment of additional RCMP federal organized crime units to Surrey, and faster removal of non-citizens charged or convicted of extortion, firearms offences or related criminal activity.
City council is also urging changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to prevent refugee claims linked to extortion-related criminal investigations. In addition, it wants federal permission to publicly identify individuals charged, deported or wanted in connection with extortion offences to improve public awareness and deterrence.
The motion further calls on the federal government to provide quarterly public reports on the scope of extortion-related crime and progress made in addressing the issue.
Councillors spoke emotionally about the impact of extortion on residents and business owners. “It’s hard to live your life constantly looking over your shoulder,” said Coun. Pardeep Kooner, describing the toll the crimes have taken on the community.
In response, federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said all levels of government are working together to combat extortion and transnational organized crime. He confirmed he was scheduled to meet with Mayor Locke on Tuesday and B.C. Premier David Eby on Wednesday to discuss further action.
“We are engaging with the provincial government, municipalities, the RCMP and local police forces to determine what more can be done to combat extortion at every level,” Anandasangaree said in a statement.
The federal government has already committed $500,000 over two years for victim support and an additional $200,000 to assist with investigations outside the scope of the provincial extortion task force. Ottawa has also pointed to proposed legislation, including Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, which aims to make bail more difficult to obtain and impose tougher sentences for extortion-related offences.
