Patrick Brown Demands Parliamentary Action on Bill C-2 to Combat Canada's Extortion Epidemic
As mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown has witnessed firsthand how the extortion crisis has devastated communities across Canada. In a powerful call to action, Brown emphasizes that Parliament must immediately pass Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, to address what he describes as a growing national security threat that requires urgent federal intervention.
The Extortion Crisis in Peel Region
Brown reveals that Peel Region has become a significant hotspot for extortion activities, with over 41 documented incidents occurring between January 2024 and November 2025. These are not simple threats but involve serious violence against families and businesses, including shootings and arson attacks that have shattered lives and undermined public safety.
"These transnational networks, including groups like the Bishnoi gang, operate with sophisticated coordination," Brown explains. "They exploit encrypted communication platforms like WhatsApp to issue threats, launder money internationally, and escalate to violence when their demands are not met."
The Critical Need for Federal-Local Collaboration
Brown previously called for enhanced federal support in combating these crimes, specifically requesting representatives from the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to join local extortion task forces. He emphasizes that local police cannot afford to wait for responses from these critical agencies during time-sensitive investigations.
"We need to be working on the ground together," Brown insists. "This would dramatically improve intelligence sharing and help disrupt the cross-border money flows that fuel these criminal enterprises. Law enforcement in Canada cannot operate in silos—federal, provincial, and municipal agencies must collaborate seamlessly to address these interconnected threats."
Bill C-2's Lawful Access Provisions
The mayor highlights that while these collaborative steps remain essential, the lawful access provisions in Bill C-2 represent a critical tool that could make an immediate difference. Introduced in June 2025, the bill includes important measures in Parts 14 and 15 that would modernize lawful access to electronic data for law enforcement investigating transnational crimes.
These provisions would allow police to obtain subscriber information and transmission data more swiftly from service providers, including access to messages on platforms like WhatsApp, without the lengthy delays of current international mutual legal assistance processes.
The Current Investigative Challenges
Brown points out that current requests for electronic data can take 45 days or more to process, by which time crucial evidence often disappears and investigations stall. In extortion cases where threats can turn deadly overnight, this delay represents a serious barrier that ties officers' hands and gives criminals the upper hand.
"Without better ways to trace these communications quickly, local police are severely hampered," Brown states. "They're chasing leads that go cold while criminals act with near impunity from abroad. This isn't isolated to Peel Region—extortion has surged in multiple cities, costing our economy dearly and instilling widespread fear among Canadians."
Balancing Security and Privacy Concerns
While acknowledging the broader elements of Bill C-2 and ongoing debates around privacy and Charter rights, Brown emphasizes that these specific lawful access changes are vital for combating extortion and many other crimes effectively. He argues they would equip police with the necessary tools to trace communications, identify perpetrators, and prevent escalation more efficiently.
"Transnational organized crime is a growing problem in Canada, exploiting our borders and global links to target communities nationwide," Brown concludes. "This is a national security issue that requires federal leadership to protect all Canadians. Parliament must pass Bill C-2 now before this crisis engulfs every community."
