Premier David Eby and Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, have issued the following statements about fighting extortion:

“We face a crisis caused by criminals demanding money from businesses and shooting up homes.

“Perhaps you are a victim, or maybe you know someone who is, or maybe you’ve heard gunshots in your neighbourhood. As a dad to three children, I know that every family needs security at home. It’s fundamental.

“Concerns raised by those who have received threats must be addressed urgently. Information offered by community members must be received and incorporated into investigations immediately.

“That’s why we are establishing a community advisory group on extortion to close any gap between community members and police to solve this crime.

“Paul Dadwal will lead this group. He has years of senior police experience, including service with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia. He knows how to combat crime, as well as how to connect with a community. He will lead efforts to ensure we are exploring all ideas – related to policing, community and communication – and share them with police to ensure we fight this crime with everything we’ve got.

“Our government will be listening, too. I want you to know that this issue is our most important public-safety priority, and we’ve ensured it’s Number 1 on the list of police and the federal government.”

Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, said:

“The safety of people of Surrey and all communities who have been targeted with extortion is our top priority. We know extortion incidents are deeply concerning for families, businesses and neighbourhoods impacted by these crimes.

“The community advisory group on extortion is being created to strengthen communication and trust between the community and law enforcement, including the B.C. Extortion Task Force and local police. The advisory group will listen to community concerns, identify emerging issues and relay them to law enforcement and government so people are heard, supported and safe. It will also support the communication of information from law enforcement to the community.

“To further support ongoing actions to target extortion, the Province has successfully lobbied the federal government for more police officers, increased RCMP helicopter support, and a national meeting of provincial police leaders from communities across Canada impacted by extortion will take place in the coming weeks.

“We will continue to lobby Ottawa for additional enforcement supports and changes to criminal and immigration laws to close loopholes in Canada Border Service Agency’s removal system, and for transparency in identifying people who have been removed from Canada.

“We are committed to supporting residents through this difficult time. Their safety matters, their voices matter, and we will continue to take strong, co-ordinated action until those responsible are held accountable.”