June 26, 2026
Parteek Singh Mahal
SURREY, BC – Amid growing chorus, British Columbia’s Minister of Public Safety, Garry Begg, is set to announce new provincial government plans today to address the escalating extortion and violence targeting South Asian businesses and residents.
Begg, who also serves as the province’s solicitor general, will speak at a media conference this afternoon alongside BC Crime Stoppers Executive Director Gillian Millam.
The announcement comes as the RCMP has explicitly linked the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to a surge in extortions and other crimes impacting South Asian community members across Alberta, Ontario, and B.C.
The move by the provincial government follows increasing pressure from B.C. leaders for federal intervention. Last week, Premier David Eby stated his intention to write to Prime Minister Mark Carney, urging that the Bishnoi gang be granted a terrorist designation. This, Eby argues, would “enable police to be able to use the necessary tools to investigate” these sophisticated criminal networks.
Eby has also been reaching out to his counterparts in Alberta and Ontario, emphasizing a united front. “These are two provinces that are affected by this extortion conduct, and we believe that the more provinces that are supportive, the faster the federal government will move on this,” Eby said earlier today.
Adding to the growing chorus, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke confirmed Wednesday that she too had written to Prime Minister Carney with the same request, seeking federal action to protect her city, where numerous residents have been targeted by these criminal activities.
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