B.C. launches awareness campaign targeting extortion threats to South Asian community

The B.C. government is launching a public awareness campaign in an effort to address the ongoing extortion and violence targeting South Asian businesses and residents.

B.C. Solicitor General and Minister of Public Safety Garry Begg and BC Crime Stoppers Executive Director Gillian Millam spoke at a media conference Thursday afternoon, unveiling the 60-day extortion awareness campaign, which launched the same day.

The campaign, coming at a cost of $100,000, is set to share information about recognizing and reporting extortion threats, which the government believes will help individuals, business owners, and families stay safe and informed.

“The recent surge in extortion threats targeting members of the South Asian community is very concerning, and we are doing everything we can to support police efforts in investigating these crimes,” said Begg.

“Reporting is the most important step in stopping extortion and keeping people safe, so if you are a victim of extortion, or have any information that could help solve a crime, I urge you to contact Crime Stoppers,” he added.

Begg said the government is supporting law enforcement to “bring these extortion threats to an end.”

The campaign will be delivered in both English and Punjabi, and will include advertisements on radio, podcasts, Spotify, social media, and television.

“It was developed in consultation with individuals with deep knowledge of these issues, including those with experience in policing and lived experience within the South Asian community. The goal is encouraging reporting to help police find and stop those responsible for these actions. We know more needs to be done to end this violence, and the work doesn’t stop there,” Begg said.

The announcement of the campigan comes after Premier David Eby last week said he would write to Prime Minister Mark Carney to ask that the gang be given the terrorist designation “to enable police to be able to use the necessary tools to investigate.”

In the meantime, Eby continues to reach out to his Alberta and Ontario counterparts.

“These are two provinces that are affected by this extortion conduct, and we believe that the more provinces that are supportive, the faster the federal government will move on this,” said Eby Thursday morning.

The RCMP previously stated that it has linked the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to extortion and other crimes against South Asian community members in Alberta, Ontario, and B.C.

“South Asian extortion is a national issue, and we want to see a national response. The federal designation would unlock the additional tools and resources for police, not just in British Columbia, but across the country,” Begg added Thursday.

“To anyone who has been a victim of extortion, know that supports are available — reach out to your local police, if you or someone you know is or has been extorted,” Begg said.

On Wednesday, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said she had also written to Carney with the same request to protect her city, where many residents have been targeted.

She said she also asked Begg to establish a public phone line for tips.

“Sadly, not everybody is calling police when they get these issues, but we need something so that people can start to feel confident… I think we all have to question, why are people in our city, in our province, in our country afraid to call the authorities? That’s a big problem. People must report,” said Locke.

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