October 22, 2025
Parteek Singh Mahal
British Columbia’s Attorney General Niki Sharma is strongly advocating for urgent federal bail reform, arguing that current laws are too weak to keep repeat offenders off the streets. Sharma said that B.C. is pushing the federal government to amend its legislation to ensure that criminals who repeatedly violate their bail conditions are held in custody rather than being released.
Sharma during an interview on RED FM’s Harjinder Thind Show said the province is taking aggressive legal and legislative action on multiple fronts, including formally appealing the landmark Richmond Couch and Title decision to protect private property rights and demanding immediate federal changes to bail laws to curb repeat, violent offenders. Sharma also addressed the ongoing Surrey extortion crisis, highlighting the deployment of a 40-person task force and confirming that the Bishnoi Gang’s new terrorist designation should unlock additional federal resources to tackle organized crime in the region.
Sharma emphasized that B.C. has proposed specific changes to the Criminal Code to the federal government. She said the goal is to keep repeat and violent offenders off the streets.
She focused particularly on bail reform, arguing that current bail laws aren’t strong enough to hold people who repeatedly commit crimes. B.C. wants federal law changed to hold offenders who repeatedly disrespect the law by breaking their bail conditions, rather than releasing them. She was optimistic that the federal government’s upcoming bill will include B.C.’s requested changes, which also cover tougher penalties for extortion.
Regarding the hiring of 1,000 new RCMP officers, Sharma confirmed B.C. is “fighting for the most” resources for the province. On the pressing security crisis in Surrey, she reported that seven people have been arrested and charged in extortion cases, and a 40-person team is solely focused on these threats. When asked about deploying the military or federal force in Surrey, Sharma stated this would be a federal decision. Crucially, she highlighted that the designation of the Bishnoi Gang as a terrorist organization is a major step that automatically “unlocks more federal resources” and special attention to help tackle the gang.
Attorney General Sharma confirmed B.C. was the first to appeal the recent Richmond Couch and Title decision. The government is concerned about the ruling’s major impact on private property rights and the resulting legal confusion. B.C.’s legal position is that Aboriginal title should be suspended once someone holds fee simple title (standard private ownership). B.C. has already filed its notice of appeal for the 800-page decision. She noted that all parties involved—including Canada, the City of Richmond, Musqueam, and Cowichan—are also appealing. Sharma assured worried homeowners that B.C. “sees and hears” them and is working quickly, including considering a “stay application” to suspend the decision until the law becomes clearer.
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