Fear grips Canada’s South Asian business community as extortion threats and shootings escalate, prompting some entrepreneurs to flee the country or seek private security for protection. The rising violence has driven numerous individuals to seek safety abroad, particularly in the US and Dubai, due to concerns that their businesses and homes are being specifically targeted.
Avi Dhaliwal, a Brampton-based investor, revealed that a significant number of his business partners have fallen victim to gunfire at their properties. He estimated that he knows around 35 to 40 individuals targeted by extortion, leading him to assist fellow entrepreneurs in investing in US properties to escape the escalating threats.
The impact of this violence is being keenly felt in Brampton and Surrey, British Columbia. Peel Regional Police have responded by forming a specialized Extortion Task Force and conducting focused operations like Project Sahara and Project Outsource to combat criminal networks.
Data from law enforcement shows a spike in extortion cases, with 494 investigations in 2024, including 153 cases involving businesses. In the following year, 476 cases were reported, with 192 targeting commercial establishments, resulting in around 260 charges being filed.
Private security firms have also witnessed a surge in demand, with business owners increasingly hiring security guards, purchasing bulletproof vehicles, and enlisting personal bodyguards due to safety concerns. Jugraj Singh Sandhu, a security company owner, shared that a majority of his clients, particularly from Brampton, require overnight security due to the looming threats.
Amid these security challenges, federal law enforcement has issued warnings about criminal activities linked to agents of the Government of India, highlighting the threats posed to Canadians and individuals residing in Canada. The RCMP has flagged numerous credible threats to life, leading to the issuance of “Duty to Warn” notifications to members of the South Asian community.
Despite these alerts, safety remains the primary worry for many in the South Asian community as they grapple with the escalating violence and targeted attacks.