Surrey declares ’emergency’
The crisis includes targeted threats primarily affecting South Asian businesses and families
27 January, 2026 – Chandigarh : In a major action against extortion threats in Canada, the Surrey City Council has declared a local state of emergency in response to the surging wave of extortion threats and related violence plaguing the community. It is the first such elected council to take such an action against any crime in Canada. Punjabi gangsters are said to be involved most in extortion from South Asians.
Canada media reports said Mayor Brenda Locke spearheaded the motion, which was approved on January 26, highlighting the overwhelming nature of these crimes that have outstripped local resources and conventional policing efforts.
The council is now urging the federal government to follow suit by declaring a national state of emergency or implementing equivalent extraordinary measures to combat what Locke described as a “transnational” threat.
“This is a crisis that has left families terrified and businesses under siege,” Mayor Locke stated during the council meeting. “The City of Surrey recognises that we are in a state of emergency due to the extortion and extortion-related violence which have plagued our city.”
The motion calls for the appointment of a federal “extortion commissioner for violence against Canadians” to coordinate a robust response, including deploying additional RCMP organised crime units, expediting deportations for non-citizens involved in these crimes, and strengthening immigration laws to detain and remove offenders more swiftly.
The extortion crisis in Surrey includes targeted threats primarily affecting South Asian businesses and families, often linked to organised crime groups with ties to India and other regions.
The extortion case involve anonymous demands for large sums of money, ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, made through phone calls, letters, or social media, with threats of violence if payments are not made.
The incidents increased in 2025, with the Surrey Police Service investigating 44 extortion cases, including 27 involving shootings at businesses, homes, and vehicles.
The city council established a $250,000 reward fund to encourage tips leading to arrests. However, the problem has intensified in 2026, with Surrey recording its 35th extortion case by mid-January, including at least eight confirmed shootings in the first three weeks alone. At this pace, the city could see over 600 such incidents by year’s end.
Community members, particularly in the Indo-Canadian diaspora, have expressed fear and outrage, with some suggesting racial bias in the slow response from authorities.
Incidents like the repeated shootings at Kap’s Café, targeted thrice, in recent months underscore the brazenness of these attacks.
As per Canada media reports, Mayor Locke has also criticised the federal government for not acting sooner, emphasizing that Surrey’s situation reflects a broader national issue.
The Tribune