Poilievre calls on Canada to designate Bishnoi gang a terrorist group

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is joining the chorus of politicians urging the Canadian government to designate the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, based in India, as a terrorist organization in Canada. During a speech in Surrey, B.C., Poilievre highlighted the increasing reports of extortion in the area, with police receiving 10 such reports in the last six months.

The Lawrence Bishnoi gang has been linked to these extortion cases, targeting members of the South Asian community in British Columbia. One Surrey businessman has even received threats demanding $2 million, with businesses associated with him facing gunfire multiple times. The gang’s activities have also been reported in Ontario’s Peel Region, where cases of extortion and targeted shootings have been tied to them.

Poilievre emphasized that designating the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity would give law enforcement greater authority to combat their criminal activities. He cited support from various political leaders, including Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown, B.C. Premier David Eby, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who have all called for the terrorism label.

The repercussions of labeling a group as a terrorist entity can be severe, with banks freezing assets and police charging anyone who supports such a group financially or materially. The federal government’s national security experts are evaluating whether the Bishnoi gang meets the criteria set out in the Criminal Code for terrorist organizations.

The Bishnoi gang is part of a larger trend of criminal enterprises from northern India expanding into North America. Its founder, Lawrence Bishnoi, has been incarcerated in India since 2014, but his network continues to operate globally. The gang’s main source of income, according to Indian media, is extortion.

During his news conference, Poilievre also criticized the Liberal government’s response to crime, advocating for mandatory jail time for extortion convictions. He called for the repeal of Bill C-5, which expanded the use of conditional sentences, and Bill C-75, which allows for the release of some individuals on bail with minimal conditions.

This marks Poilievre’s first media appearance since winning a byelection in Alberta. His strong stance on combating criminal organizations like the Lawrence Bishnoi gang underscores the need for decisive action to ensure the safety and security of Canadian communities.