Canada: Reality Behind Emergency Call — Surrey City Council Unanimously Urges Federal Government to Declare Emergency Over Extortion Crisis
(Watch Video)
Babushahi Bureau
Surrey (Canada), January 27, 2026:
In a significant move highlighting the gravity of the situation, the Surrey City Council has unanimously passed a resolution urging the Government of Canada to declare a state of emergency, or invoke equivalent extraordinary measures, to deal with the escalating extortion crisis affecting businesses and residents—particularly within the South Asian community.
The resolution was moved by Mayor Brenda Locke, who said that the scale, coordination, and violent nature of extortion-related activities have gone far beyond the capacity of municipal authorities and routine policing mechanisms.
Surrey has witnessed a disturbing rise in extortion threats, targeted shootings, arson attacks, and organized intimidation, with business owners increasingly reporting fear, coercion, and silence driven by safety concerns. Several cases are believed to have national and transnational linkages, raising alarms about organized crime networks operating across borders.
“The City of Surrey recognizes that we are in a state of emergency due to the extortion and extortion-related violence which have plagued our city,” Mayor Locke said while addressing the council. “Given the national and transnational nature of these crimes, Surrey is formally urging the Government of Canada to declare a federal state of emergency or take equivalent extraordinary federal action to dismantle this organized extortion network.”
Council members across party lines supported the motion, underlining that the crisis has begun to undermine public safety, economic stability, and community confidence, particularly among immigrant and small business communities.
The resolution calls for:
-
Enhanced federal law enforcement intervention
-
Intelligence-led operations against organized crime
-
Greater coordination between federal, provincial, and municipal agencies
-
Immediate protection mechanisms for victims and witnesses
The move comes amid mounting pressure on Ottawa to respond decisively, as calls grow louder from community leaders and business associations demanding visible federal action to restore a sense of security.
The federal government has yet to issue an official response to Surrey City Council’s resolution.
Watch Video