August 20, 2025
Parteek Singh Mahal
In a push to address the recent surge in violent crime, Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has announced a new action plan titled “End Extortion and Restore Safe Streets.” As part of his plan, among key demands he is demanding the federal government officially list the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity.
Pierre Poilievre held a press conference in Surrey, B.C. after winning Alberta byelection.
Poilievre criticized the current Liberal government, stating they have “dismantled tough laws, gutted jail sentences, and let gangs and extortionists rule our streets.”
The new plan is aimed at tackling the wave of shootings and extortions that are terrorizing communities across Canada’s major urban centers. While highlighting the extortion related incidents Poilievre quoted a story of RED FM on shooting incident at Royal King Banquet Hall.
He said this was only one of the many cases as since the Liberals came to power, violent crime has risen by 54%, sexual assaults by 75%, and extortion has skyrocketed by 330% nationwide.
Poilievre claimed that “lax Liberal laws” are to blame for leaving Canadians in fear. He highlighted that small business owners in communities like Brampton, Surrey, Vancouver, and Calgary are facing threats, shootings, and being fire bombed.
The Conservative plan, titled “End Extortion and Restore Safe Streets,” includes several key measures including ban on the Bishnoi Gang. The plan calls for the Lawrence Bishnoi gang to be listed as a terrorist entity, which Poilievre says would give police and prosecutors stronger tools to dismantle this “violent, transnational extortion network.”
In next point the opposition asks to strengthen extortion laws. The Conservatives propose restoring mandatory jail time for extortionists, with minimum sentences of three years for all extortion offenses, four years if a gun is involved, and five years when the crime is linked to organized crime. The plan also calls for arson to be considered an aggravating factor in sentencing. Poilievre noted that these measures were previously blocked by the Liberal government in the Conservative’s “Protection Against Extortion” plan.
Calling for end to “Catch-and-Release” approach, the plan calls for the repeal of Liberal bail laws, specifically Bills C-5 and C-75, to keep violent offenders behind bars and end what the party calls a “revolving door justice system.” The press release claims that these laws force judges to release repeat violent offenders who may reoffend while awaiting trial.
Poilievre also highlighted that deputy leader Tim Uppal had introduced similar measures over a year ago in Bill C-381, the Protection Against Extortion Act, which was voted down by the Liberals.
“The cause of this crime wave is clear, a government that sides with criminals instead of communities,” Poilievre said adding “This Liberal government dismantled tough laws, gutted jail sentences, and let gangs and extortionists rule our streets.”
He concluded by calling on the government to adopt the Conservative plan to “stop crime, end extortion, and protect our families and businesses.”
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