Vancouver: Federal and Provincial officials joined Municipal leaders and law enforcement for a summit aimed at combatting extortion and other emerging threats in Brampton, Ontario, marking a key step in strengthening collaboration, improving coordination among enforcement agencies, and disrupting cross-border criminal networks targeting local businesses and residents.
“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.”said Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety.
The Government of Canada is providing Peel Regional Police with up to $1 million to bolster the Service’s work to combat extortion, support and provide services to victims, and build on efforts already underway through its extortion task force. The task force provides rapid, community-level response, and leverages intelligence from federal partners including the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which acts rapidly to remove foreign nationals involved in criminality, including extortion, demonstrating the effective impact of coordinated enforcement among all partners. The CBSA is committed to supporting the task force to accelerate their important efforts.
“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.” Said Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State, Combatting Crime.
The Federal government will establish a new Regional Integrated Drug Enforcement Team (RIDET) in partnership with the Government of Ontario and local authorities. Backed by a federal investment of $4 million over four years, provided through Canada’s Border Plan, the RIDET will bring together law enforcement resources from multiple agencies and jurisdictions in a centralized hub to share information and intelligence and increase law enforcement coordination to disrupt organized crime groups.
Budget 2025 commits $1.8 billion over four years to strengthen federal law enforcement. The RCMP will add 1,000 new personnel to increase federal investigative capacity and tackle financial crimes, addressing the most serious criminal threats including organized crime, cybercrime, and national security. As well, Budget 2025 also provides funding for 1,000 new CBSA officers across multiple frontline and operational functions. New legislation, such as 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 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.
To prevent gun and gang violence before it starts, the Federal government has committed over $390 million through the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund, including $121 million for Ontario, since 2023. These investments are complemented by the $250 million Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF), which helps municipalities deliver local initiatives that prevent gun and gang violence. Peel Region alone has received $8.14 million through the BSCF to strengthen community safety and provide young people with positive alternatives.
Ontario has invested $160 million in Peel Region through public safety grant programs that support local policing and community safety initiatives, since 2018. This funding provides flexibility to implement initiatives that address policing needs and priority risks related to community safety and well-being. Part of the funding includes $4.5 million that has been allocated towards Peel Regional Police’s Gang Response Strategy, under the Guns and Gangs Violence Reduction Strategy, among other initiatives focused on gang suppression, prevention, and enforcement.