Poilievre’s Hardline Extortion Plan Signals Shift in Canada’s Crime Debate

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has unveiled a sweeping plan to combat Canada’s surge in extortion cases, framing the issue as a direct consequence of what he calls “soft-on-crime Liberal policies.” Speaking in Surrey, B.C., Poilievre outlined measures that would restore mandatory minimum sentences, crack down on organized gangs, and enforce stricter bail rules.

At the centre of his proposal is the call to designate the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization, granting police broader powers to arrest, detain, and deport individuals tied to its network. He also vowed to reinstate mandatory minimum penalties: three years for extortion, four years if a firearm is used, and five years if linked to organized crime.

The plan sharply contrasts with the government’s repeal of mandatory minimums under Bill C-5 and bail reforms in Bill C-75, which Poilievre argues have fueled repeat offending. His pledge of “jail, not bail” reflects a more punitive approach designed to reassure communities rattled by organized criminal activity.

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Statistics Canada data shows extortion-related organized crime cases have risen by more than 100% since 2020, underscoring the urgency of the issue. For Poilievre, the political stakes are clear: positioning himself as the leader ready to restore order and accountability in Canada’s justice system.