Western Canada Dominates List of Highest-Threat Criminal Organizations
According to the latest annual report from the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, the majority of the country's most dangerous criminal organizations are based in Western Canada, with several actively involved in the ongoing gang conflict that originated in British Columbia but has since spread across the nation.
Six of Eight Highest-Threat Groups Located in Western Provinces
The federal agency's 2025 organized crime assessment identifies eight criminal organizations as posing the highest threat level to public safety, with six of these groups operating from Western Canadian bases. This represents an increase of two western-based groups compared to the previous year's assessment.
While the report does not explicitly name the specific organizations, the descriptions provided align with known criminal entities including the Wolfpack gang alliance, the Brothers Keepers, and the UN gang. All three groups have been central players in the prolonged gang conflict that began in British Columbia but has expanded its reach across Canada.
Characteristics of Highest-Threat Criminal Organizations
The report outlines several defining characteristics of the highest-level threat groups:
- Systematic use of violence as a core operational strategy
- Involvement in attempts to infiltrate law enforcement, security, or government agencies
- Access to multiple types of legitimate businesses for criminal purposes
- Extensive criminal associations with numerous other organized crime groups
- Operations spanning multiple provinces or international borders
All eight highest-threat organizations maintain criminal connections throughout North America and internationally, with one western-based group specifically linked to Central America and Europe. This particular organization engages in importing and distributing fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, cannabis, and pharmaceuticals, while also participating in homicide and extortion activities.
Organized Crime's Impact on Public Safety
Ken Lamontague, director general of the Criminal Intelligence Service Canada, emphasized the significant threat organized crime poses to public safety in the report. "Organized crime remains the pre-eminent threat to public safety, contributing to thousands of deaths annually from overdoses due to illicit drugs, notably fentanyl, and gang violence," Lamontague stated.
The report further notes that international organized crime networks, including cartels, are increasingly being recognized as national security threats. This merging of public safety and national security concerns requires enhanced intelligence sharing between law enforcement and security agencies, despite legal and prosecutorial challenges.
Broader Assessment of Organized Crime in Canada
The comprehensive assessment evaluated 493 organized crime groups across the country. In addition to the eight high-level threat organizations, the report identified:
- 100 groups assessed as medium-level threats
- 385 groups assessed as low-level threats
Importantly, the report clarifies that the number of assessed groups does not represent the total operational criminal organizations in Canada, which are believed to exceed 4,000 groups nationwide.
The western-based criminal organization described as a "prominent player in ongoing gang conflicts" demonstrates a particularly high degree of violence, according to the assessment. This group's activities highlight the expanding nature of gang conflicts that now extend beyond provincial borders and involve increasingly sophisticated international connections.
