Surrey, B.C.:The City of Surrey is calling on the federal government to declare a state of emergency following a sharp rise in extortion cases, with 35 suspected incidents recorded in the city this month alone. The motion, introduced by Mayor Brenda Locke, was unanimously passed by city council during a public hearing Monday night.
Mayor Locke described the situation as “an acute and escalating crisis of organized extortion, intimidation, and targeted shootings,” warning that the violence and threats are causing fear, trauma, and significant economic harm for both residents and business owners.
Extortion has become an increasing concern in several Lower Mainland cities, including Abbotsford and Delta, particularly in predominantly South Asian communities where residents report receiving repeated threats and demands for money. In 2025 alone, Surrey reported 132 extortion attempts, 49 of which involved shots fired at homes and businesses, with additional cases documented in Abbotsford and Delta.
Federal Intervention Sought
The motion directs Mayor Locke’s office to formally request that Ottawa declare a federal state of emergency—or implement “equivalent extraordinary federal measures”—to tackle the organized extortion crisis. Among the measures requested:
- Appointment of a federal extortion commissioner to oversee and coordinate the national response to extortion crimes.
- Deployment of additional RCMP federal organized crime units to Surrey to bolster local enforcement.
- Expedited removal of non-citizens charged with or convicted of extortion, firearm offences, or participation in organized extortion crimes.
- Amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to prevent refugee claims linked to extortion-related investigations.
- Public identification of individuals charged, deported, or wanted for extortion offences to enhance awareness and deter future crimes.
- Regular quarterly reports to Canadians on the severity of extortion-related activity and the progress in resolving the crisis.
Council members emphasized that residents are struggling to feel safe, with many living under constant threat.
“As a Surrey resident and a Canadian, I kind of feel like the federal laws have held us hostage … in the city that we love,” said Coun. Pardeep Kooner. “It’s kind of hard to move through life always looking over your shoulder.”
The unanimous support for the motion reflects widespread frustration over the inability of existing provincial and federal measures to curb the growing extortion problem. Council members expressed concern for both personal safety and the economic impact on businesses, noting that fear of retaliation has forced some residents to limit their public activities.
The motion now awaits response from the federal government. Surrey officials hope that a coordinated national effort—including stronger enforcement, legal reforms, and increased transparency—will help curb the organized crime networks responsible for the surge in extortion.
