Abbotsford Police calling for justice system changes amid growing extortion cases
Posted February 10, 2026 7:25 am.
Last Updated February 10, 2026 2:17 pm.
The Abbotsford Police Department (AbbyPD) is the latest to join the growing chorus of local leaders calling for changes to Canada’s justice system with regard to the growing extortion crisis in B.C.
Speaking to media Tuesday morning, AbbyPD Chief Colin Watson said he is making a plea to the federal government to modernize the Criminal Code to deal with the issue.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!Arguing police need more than enforcement to not only combat extortion, but also other serious crimes, he says he is calling for what he sees as practical changes to police disclosure processes and quicker access to electronic communications, describing detrimental delays tied to judicial authorizations and court backlogs.
“If we can find ways to improve those efficiencies, particularly when we are dealing with this crime that has an active component to it, we are all going to be better off.”
While there has not been a single reported extortion case in Abbotsford this year, Watson says the situation in cities like Surrey is creating immense stress and anxiety everywhere.
“It’s being felt by far too many in the Abbotsford community and beyond,” he said.
Prior to the news conference, Watson said he would be making an urgent plea for “renewed collaboration across levels of government to address the systemic challenges in our justice system, which will improve police and community response to serious crime, including extortion.”
Meanwhile, Watson says his department is working beyond capacity, saying they’ve had to park investigations to prioritize extortion while trying to keep up with search warrants, production orders, and the slow grind of processing evidence.
And, he says, the idea here is that calling for judicial reforms, things like police disclosure processes and quicker, lawful access to suspect technology, is a way to get around asking for resources that governments might not have.
“I recognize that public safety is an expensive business, so I want to recognize and respect that anything that we’re doing, any resources that we’re asking for, it’s a cost to to our residents,” he said.
Watson’s comments have been echoed by Surrey Police Service (SPS) Chief Norm Lipinski, who, on Monday afternoon, provided an update on the growing number of extortions in his community, which has been a hotbed for the crime.
“I have asked the province for additional officers and support. We continue to have discussions with the province and our policing partners on that support,” said Lipinski.
“And I am optimistic that those resources will come soon to aid in our united fight in this crisis.”
He says he understands how scared people in the community are feeling.
“I want to acknowledge the very real fears and frustrations of the residents and businesses in Surrey. I share your frustrations, and we are dedicated to reducing community fear through increased resourcing and making more arrests.”
Lipinski also admitted it’s important for his department to communicate with the public the level of progress officers are making on extortion files.
Predominantly in Surrey, Delta, and Abbotsford, police in B.C. have received dozens of reports of extortion-related crimes, including several shots fired, since the beginning of the year.
The comments of both chiefs come ahead of a national policing summit on extortions being held in Surrey later this month, involving representatives from B.C., Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.
Conservatives to propose motion targeting non-citizens convicted of crimes
The federal Conservative Party is planning to introduce a motion in Parliament Tuesday to bar non-citizens convicted of serious crimes from making refugee claims.
The motion also calls on the government to prevent asylum claims from people whose cases are still in progress through the courts.
In a post to social media Monday, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said non-citizens who commit serious crimes “must be forced to leave our country.”
The Conservative motion cites an increase in extortion cases and what they call ‘lax’ bail laws.
B.C. Premier David Eby and several big-city mayors have also pushed Ottawa to close what they call loopholes around asylum claims.
Delegates at the recent Conservative Party convention in Calgary called for similar changes to the immigration and justice systems when they voted in favour of a policy proposal saying Canadian taxpayers should not pay for the “rehabilitation of foreign nationals.”
—With files from The Canadian Press and Michael Williams
