Extortion is no longer a shadow crime confined to back alleys and whispered threats. Increasingly, criminal networks are exploiting social media, intimidation, and transnational connections to exert control over illegal markets—fueling drug trafficking, auto theft, firearms smuggling, and gang violence that directly undermines public safety and economic confidence.
In response, federal, provincial, and municipal leaders converged in Brampton on January 13, 2025 for a landmark summit aimed at confronting extortion and the organized crime networks driving it across Peel Region.
The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, and the Honourable Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State for Combatting Crime, joined Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, municipal leaders, senior law enforcement officials, and frontline agencies to reinforce a unified, intelligence-driven approach to dismantling these criminal enterprises.
The summit marked a critical milestone in Peel Region’s ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination across jurisdictions, protect local businesses and residents, and disrupt criminal organizations that operate without regard for borders.
“Today’s summit underscored the importance of working together to disrupt criminal networks and protect businesses and residents in Peel Region. By launching the Regional Integrated Drug Enforcement Team and enhancing local efforts to combat extortion and support victims, we are building on the Peel extortion task force and leveraging federal intelligence, including CBSA resources, to deliver a coordinated, community-focused response,” explained the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety.
Strengthening Frontline Capacity in Peel
At the centre of the federal response is a direct investment of up to $1 million to support Peel Regional Police in combatting extortion, enhancing victim services, and expanding the work of its extortion task force. The task force provides rapid, community-level responses and draws on federal intelligence, including support from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
CBSA plays a critical role by acting swiftly to remove foreign nationals involved in criminal activity, including extortion—demonstrating the impact of coordinated enforcement across agencies.
“Today’s summit illustrates the Canada Border Services Agency’s commitment to working with local, provincial, and federal partners to disrupt organized crime afflicting our communities, and prioritizing the investigation and removal of foreign nationals inadmissible on serious grounds such as security, human rights violations and organized criminality as well as those convicted of serious criminal offences,” stated Lisa Janes, Regional Director General, Greater Toronto Area Region, Canada Border Services Agency.
Peel Regional Police leadership emphasized that the threat extends far beyond municipal boundaries and demands sustained, multi-layered action.
“Peel Regional Police has been leading efforts to combat extortion, not only in Peel Region, but alongside our municipal, provincial and federal partners across the country. We have made significant investments in resources to combat this transnational issue that is profoundly impacting our Region. This investment will assist with our multifaceted approach to stopping the violence and intimidation impacting our communities. Strong collaboration, legislative reform and dedicated funding are critical to disrupting organized criminal networks and keeping our communities safe,” expressed Nishan Duraiappah, Peel Regional Police Chief.
A New Regional Weapon Against Organized Crime
The summit also underscored the federal government’s commitment to targeting the criminal networks that profit from extortion and illegal drugs. A new Regional Integrated Drug Enforcement Team (RIDET) will be established in partnership with Ontario and local authorities.
Backed by $4 million over four years through Canada’s Border Plan, RIDET will operate as a centralized hub where law enforcement agencies share intelligence, coordinate investigations, and disrupt organized crime groups that control illegal drug markets and perpetuate extortion.
“As the Member of Parliament for Brampton North—Caledon, I know the fear that organized crime and extortion create in our community. I also know how hard our Peel Regional Police are working to take down these organized criminal networks. To support them in their effort, we’ve introduced tougher laws and invested in better intelligence sharing, law and border enforcement resources, as well as prevention initiatives to keep Peel Region safe for everyone,” conveyed The Honourable Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State, Combatting Crime.
Tougher Laws, Stronger Enforcement
Beyond local initiatives, the summit highlighted broader national measures to choke off the money and power that fuel organized crime.
The Government of Canada is moving forward with the creation of a new Canada Financial Crimes Agency, strengthening intelligence sharing, investing in gun and gang violence prevention, and advancing tougher enforcement tools.
Budget 2025 commits $1.8 billion over four years to strengthen federal law enforcement, including the addition of 1,000 new RCMP personnel to boost investigative capacity targeting organized crime, cybercrime, financial crime, and national security threats.
The Canada Border Services Agency will also add 1,000 new officers, enhancing border enforcement and detection capabilities to disrupt illegal activity before it reaches Canadian communities.
New legislation—Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act—would make bail harder to obtain and impose tougher sentences for extortion-related offences.
“Extortion is a serious crime that preys on fear and erodes public safety in our communities. Today’s summit reflects how leaders from across the country are working together to disrupt threats such as extortion and organized crime. The Government of Canada has taken decisive action with the introduction of Bill C-14 (Bail and Sentencing Reform Act), which would strengthen our bail and sentencing laws, including making bail harder to get for individuals charged with violent extortion. Intimidation and violence have no place in our society,” said the Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Prevention as a Pillar of Public Safety
Enforcement alone is not enough. Since 2023, the federal government has committed over $390 million through the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund, including $121 million for Ontario, to prevent violence before it starts.
These efforts are complemented by the $250 million Building Safer Communities Fund, which supports local, community-based prevention initiatives. Peel Region alone has received $8.14 million to strengthen community safety and provide young people with positive alternatives.
Ontario’s role remains equally significant. Since 2018, the province has invested over $160 million in Peel Region through public safety grants, including targeted funding for gang suppression, prevention, and enforcement.
“Extortion is a serious crime that threatens communities, businesses, and undermines public safety. Ontario is proud to work with our federal, municipal, and law enforcement partners to disrupt organized crime, strengthen enforcement, and improve intelligence sharing to protect Ontarians. Since 2018-19, our government has allocated over $160 million to Peel Region for a variety of public safety grants. We will continue these investments to support the Peel Regional Police Service in combatting extortion by continuing to fund critical investigations through the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario, and most recently through a $1.5 million allocation under our Guns and Gangs Violence Reductions Strategy, to support Peel’s Strategic and Tactical Enforcement Policing (STEP) initiative,” added the Honourable Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General of Ontario.
A Unified Pledge to Act
The summit concluded with a unified commitment to sustained collaboration—across governments, agencies, and communities—to bring perpetrators to justice and protect Peel Region’s economy and residents.
Law enforcement leaders reinforced a clear message: extortion is a serious crime, intimidation will not be tolerated, and victims are not alone.
“In collaboration with local policing partners and international law enforcement agencies, the RCMP is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all Canadians. Extortion victims are losing their sense of security to criminals using intimidation tactics to exploit vulnerabilities. Individuals and organized crime groups that use coercion or threats for personal gain will be held accountable,” said A/Commr. Matt Peggs, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Regional Commander, Federal Policing – Central Region
The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario urge anyone affected by extortion not to comply with demands and to report incidents to local police or anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Help is available, and more information can be found on the Extortions in Peel Region webpage.
