QUICK SUMMARY
The federal and provincial governments announced $1 million in funding to assist police in supporting extortion victims in British Columbia. Premier David Eby stated the funding will enhance police communication with victims and aid in safety planning amid a surge in extortion cases linked to the South Asian community.
The federal and provincial governments allocated $1 million to help police support extortion victims in British Columbia. Premier David Eby announced the funding during a meeting in Surrey, where many cases have been reported, particularly affecting the South Asian community. This funding will enhance communication between police and victims, providing them with resources to develop safety plans. Eby indicated that 90 investigations are currently underway related to extortion, with a task force established to address the issue. This task force is the largest in provincial history and marks the first involvement of the Canada Border Services Agency. Eby acknowledged the community's anxiety and stressed the importance of restoring the expectation of safety. The extortion cases have led to numerous shootings in Surrey and Abbotsford, with some linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi crime group in India. The government's action aims to mitigate fear and support affected families by enhancing police resources.