The federal government is giving “serious consideration” to providing targeted support to help Brampton and the broader Peel Region confront a sharp rise in extortion-related crime, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has confirmed. The announcement comes amid mounting concern from municipal leaders, law enforcement, and community organizations over the growing scale, sophistication, and cross-border nature of extortion cases affecting local businesses and families.

As part of the federal response, Ottawa plans to convene a high-level summit in Peel Region in January, bringing together governments and law enforcement agencies to develop a coordinated strategy to address the issue.

Rising Extortion Cases Prompt Urgent Calls for Action

Extortion has emerged as one of the most pressing public safety challenges facing Brampton and Mississauga in recent years. According to Peel Regional Police, reported cases involving businesses have risen dramatically over a short period of time, highlighting what officials describe as a troubling and accelerating trend.

During a Dec. 10 meeting of Brampton city council, police reported that there were 50 business-related extortion cases in Brampton and Mississauga in 2023. That number jumped sharply to 153 cases in 2024 and has already reached 172 so far in 2025. Authorities have cautioned that these figures may underrepresent the true scope of the problem, as some victims may be reluctant to come forward due to fear, stigma, or safety concerns.

The surge has placed increasing strain on municipal resources and prompted calls for stronger provincial and federal involvement.

Mayor Patrick Brown Seeks Federal and Provincial Support

In response to the escalating crisis, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown sent a letter on Dec. 16 to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Public Safety Minister Anandasangaree, urging Ottawa to take decisive action. In the letter, Brown argued that the nature of extortion crimes in Peel has evolved beyond what municipalities can handle on their own.

He described the crimes as increasingly organized, sophisticated, and transnational, often involving networks that operate across provincial and national borders. According to Brown, these characteristics make it difficult for local police services to effectively disrupt criminal activity without enhanced support and coordination from senior levels of government.

Council Motion Calls for Federal Action

Brown’s letter followed the unanimous passage of a motion by Brampton city council calling on the federal government to step in with concrete measures. The motion outlined several key requests, including extending dedicated funding for extortion and organized crime task forces to Peel Region.

Council specifically pointed to the federal funding and operational model used in British Columbia, where multi-agency task forces have been established to tackle similar forms of organized crime. Brampton officials argue that a comparable approach in Peel would strengthen enforcement efforts and improve intelligence sharing.

Victim Support and Community Outreach Highlighted

In addition to enhanced law enforcement funding, the council motion and mayor’s correspondence emphasized the need for greater support for victims of extortion. Victims often face not only financial losses, but also emotional distress, fear for personal safety, and long-term impacts on their livelihoods.

Funding for Victim Services

The city has asked Ottawa to provide funding for victim support programs and community outreach initiatives. Such funding, officials say, would help ensure victims receive timely assistance, feel safe reporting crimes, and have access to culturally responsive services tailored to the diverse communities affected.

Mayor Brown has argued that supporting victims is essential to building trust between communities and law enforcement, and to encouraging more people to come forward with information that could help dismantle criminal networks.

Federal Government Signals Willingness to Engage

In a written statement issued this week, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the federal government appreciates the concerns raised by Brampton officials and shares their alarm over the rise in extortion cases in Peel Region.

“We will give serious consideration to the proposals Brampton Council is advancing,” Anandasangaree said. He noted that experience in British Columbia has shown that coordinated action across all levels of government is the most effective way to combat extortion and organized crime.

January Summit Planned in Peel Region

As part of the federal response, Anandasangaree confirmed that Ottawa will convene a summit in Peel Region in January. The meeting is intended to bring together representatives from federal, provincial, and municipal governments, along with law enforcement agencies, to address extortion “head-on.”

The minister said more details about the summit would be released in the coming weeks, but emphasized that collaboration and resource-sharing will be central themes.

Province Also Urged to Take Immediate Action

Mayor Brown has also appealed to the Ontario government for urgent assistance. In a separate letter sent to Premier Doug Ford and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, Brown called on the province to partner with the federal government to establish a dedicated victim support fund.

Proposal for a Provincial Victim Support Fund

The proposed fund would mirror a model already in place in British Columbia, providing coordinated and culturally responsive support to extortion victims. According to Brown, such a fund would not only help individuals and businesses recover, but also reinforce public confidence and encourage reporting of crimes.

The letter argued that provincial involvement in victim support would complement law enforcement efforts and help reduce the long-term social and economic costs associated with organized crime.

Ford Says Province Deploying All Available Resources

When asked during an unrelated news conference on Dec. 17 whether Ontario would commit to working with the federal government on a victim support fund, Premier Doug Ford emphasized the province’s ongoing efforts to combat extortion.

“We’re throwing every single resource we can to combat this,” Ford said. He urged victims to contact police immediately and expressed confidence in law enforcement agencies at all levels.

Confidence in Law Enforcement Task Forces

Ford said he has “all the faith in the world” in the RCMP, Ontario Provincial Police, and regional police services, noting that dedicated task forces are already working to identify and apprehend those responsible for extortion attempts.

Provincial officials have previously stated that organized crime investigations often require long-term efforts, particularly when dealing with networks that operate across jurisdictions.

Community Concerns and Grassroots Response

The rise in extortion has also prompted significant concern within the community, particularly among Sikh families and business owners who have reported being disproportionately targeted.

On Dec. 7, Sikh organizations hosted a town hall meeting in Brampton that brought together police, politicians, and community members. Organizers described the situation as an unprecedented wave of extortion affecting not only Brampton, but communities beyond Peel Region.

Importance of Community Engagement

Participants at the town hall emphasized the need for culturally sensitive outreach and clear communication from authorities. Community leaders stressed that fear and mistrust can prevent victims from reporting crimes, underscoring the importance of support services and visible government action.

Conclusion: Coordinated Response Seen as Critical

As extortion cases continue to rise in Brampton and across Peel Region, momentum is building for a coordinated response involving all levels of government. The federal government’s commitment to seriously consider Brampton’s proposals, along with plans for a January summit, signals a potential turning point in addressing the crisis.

Municipal leaders argue that sustained funding, intelligence-sharing, and victim support will be essential to disrupting organized criminal networks and restoring a sense of safety within the community. With provincial and federal discussions now underway, residents and businesses will be watching closely to see whether promised collaboration translates into tangible results in the months ahead.