Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown is urgently seeking assistance from both the provincial and federal governments as Brampton and the surrounding Peel region face a troubling increase in extortion-related crimes. The appeal comes in light of the alarming rise in these incidents, with local officials emphasizing the dire situation that has unfolded over the past few years.
Recently, Caledon resident Ranbir Mand shared a harrowing experience when he was jolted awake by gunshots targeting his home. Mand expressed his fears, stating, "I have no clue what to do. I was so scared. My kids were scared." This disturbing incident occurred shortly after his family restaurant was shot at, leading Mand to believe they are victims of an extortion scheme. He revealed he received threatening messages demanding a $3 million ransom, asserting, "Oh, we know you guys have money, and we know how to get it."
The extent of the problem is highlighted by Peel Region's report of at least 436 extortion cases in 2025 alone. This figure, while slightly decreased from 490 reports in 2024, marks a significant increase from 319 cases documented in 2023. Additionally, Peel police reported 481 armed robberies during the same period. The police acknowledged the serious impact of these crimes, particularly on South Asian residents and business owners in the area.
In response to these escalating threats, Mayor Brown has addressed both levels of government through letters, urging them to allocate specific funding for victim services and create a specialized task force. This call for assistance was fueled by a motion introduced by Deputy Mayor Harkirat Singh, who noted an increase in business-related extortion cases in Peel Region. Singh reported that the cases jumped from 50 in 2023 to 153 in 2024, and have now reached 172 already this year. He asserted that the per capita rate of extortion in Peel was notably higher than in any other region in Canada.
Last month, the federal government announced that British Columbia was set to receive over $5 million in funding aimed at combating organized crime and supporting extortion victims. Given Peel Region's alarming statistics, Singh argued it is only fair for them to receive similar financial assistance. "If we look at per capita ratio, we should technically have more than B.C.," he stated, expressing the need to prevent the continuation of this troubling trend into the next year.
In response to the escalating crime rate, Premier Doug Ford’s office indicated they had not yet received Brown's correspondence, yet noted ongoing coordination with the federal government concerning the issue. Premier Ford remarked, "I know the RCMP has a task force along with the OPP, along with Peel. We’re throwing every single resource we can to combat this."
Moreover, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announced plans for a summit to be held in Peel region in January. The summit is intended to unite governmental bodies and law enforcement in a concerted effort to tackle extortion directly. The Minister's statement promised that the government would give serious consideration to the proposals laid out by the Brampton Council, reinforcing the belief that tackling the issue effectively necessitates collaboration between municipal, provincial, and federal levels.
Singh emphasized the importance of urgency in addressing these rising crime rates, hoping that the gravity of the situation would prompt a swift response from authorities. Peel police have taken steps to combat organized criminal networks involved in extortion by laying 465 charges and seizing over $54.9 million in assets, including cash, property, and illicit goods. “We remain committed to leading the fight against organized criminal networks and extortionists to help keep our communities safe,” stated Peel police's commitment to the issue.
