B.C. Premier David Eby Labels Surrey Extortion Crisis as 'Terror Attack in Slow Motion'
British Columbia Premier David Eby has issued a stark warning about the escalating extortion violence in Surrey, describing the situation as "a terror attack in slow motion." His comments come as the city grapples with a surge in criminal activities targeting local businesses, particularly within the Punjabi community.
Surrey Receives Additional RCMP Support
In response to the crisis, Surrey has been granted an additional 20 RCMP officers to bolster law enforcement efforts. This allocation falls significantly short of the 150 officers requested by Mayor Brenda Locke, who emphasized that the original number was determined in consultation with the police chief based on operational needs.
Mayor Locke is scheduled to travel to Ottawa next week to meet with federal officials, including Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree and Secretary of State for Combatting Crime Ruby Sahota, to advocate for more robust support.
Political and Law Enforcement Responses
Surrey councillor and mayoral hopeful Linda Annis has unveiled a comprehensive plan to address the extortion shootings. Annis, representing the Surrey First slate, announced her strategy on Thursday morning, which includes:
- Collaborating with the province to enable police in B.C. to lay charges directly
- Granting police real-time access to the city's traffic cameras
- Providing the Surrey Police Service with a dedicated helicopter
- Increasing roadside checks and other proactive measures
Annis stressed that "public safety has to be Job 1 for all of us on council," calling for coordinated efforts between municipal, provincial, and federal governments to effectively combat the extortion issue and related shootings.
Alarming Statistics Highlight Urgency
The Surrey Police Service reported 132 extortion attempts in the previous year, with 49 cases involving shootings. As of January 2026, there have already been 36 reported extortions, including eight shootings, targeting 21 victims—16 of whom had been previously victimized.
These figures underscore the persistent and growing threat facing the community, prompting city council to recently vote in favor of urging Ottawa to declare a state of emergency to address the violence.
Federal Policy Changes Sought
Premier Eby, speaking at a news conference in Ottawa, called for immediate federal action to close legal loopholes. He argued that "you would never dream of giving refugee status to someone who participated in a terror attack, but that's exactly what's happening in our current system."
Eby also urged the federal government to pass Bill C-14 on bail and sentencing reform, emphasizing that the extortion issue in Surrey is a top priority for the provincial government. His remarks were made during a week of meetings with other premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ontario.
The combined efforts of local, provincial, and federal officials highlight the critical need for a multi-faceted approach to restore safety and security in Surrey, as the community confronts what Premier Eby characterizes as a deliberate and insidious form of terrorism.
