Sonia Sidhu, MP from Brampton South, provided an update outlining the federal government’s recent measures to strengthen public safety, support for law enforcement, and respond to the rise in violent extortion affecting communities across the country. Sonia Sidhu emphasized that every Canadian deserves to feel safe in their neighbourhoods and confident that those who commit violent offences will be held accountable.
The federal government has advanced a series of major legislative reforms designed to reinforce border security, bolster cybersecurity, address organized crime, and confront hate motivated wrongdoing. This includes the introduction of the Strong Borders Act (Bill C 2), which enhances lawful access measures and strengthens Canada’s overall enforcement capacity. The government has also put forward Bill C 8, new cybersecurity legislation aimed at improving protections for Canada’s digital infrastructure, critical systems, and economic security. To better address, hate motivated offences, Bill C 9 modernizes federal legislation to ensure that such behaviour is more effectively identified, denounced, and prosecuted. In addition, Bill C 12, focused on immigration and border security, tackles the flow of illegal drugs and firearms entering the country while reinforcing the integrity of Canada’s immigration system. Sidhu noted that these reforms reflect input from law enforcement agencies and community partners who have called for enhanced tools and stronger national coordination.
A key part of the government’s safety agenda includes significant reforms to the Criminal Code through Bill C‑14, which introduces over 80 targeted amendments aimed directly at preventing violent extortion and disrupting organized crime. These reforms create a new reverse onus for individuals charged with violent extortion, making it significantly more difficult for them to obtain bail. Sentences for extortion will now be served consecutively to related offences such as arson, and individuals accused of extortion or organized crime related activity will no longer be permitted to possess weapons while on bail. New bail conditions, including geographic restrictions, are intended to provide further protection for victims and affected communities. These reforms form part of a broader national response to extortion incidents reported in British Columbia, Ontario, and other jurisdictions.
According to Sidhu, these measures were designed with clear direction from police agencies across the country, who have underscored the urgent need for updated laws that reflect the realities of the crime.
To support these legislative changes, the government is expanding frontline enforcement capacity and improving national coordination. This includes hiring 1,000 new Canada Border Services Agency officers and 1,000 additional RCMP personnel to strengthen border and community level policing. The government is also establishing a dedicated Financial Crimes Agency to combat money laundering, organized crime, and online fraud schemes targeting Canadians.
Sonia Sidhu emphasized that collaboration remains central to this work, and that the federal government is continuing to partner closely with local police services, including Peel Regional Police, as well as provincial and municipal governments to improve victim supports and dismantle criminal networks operating across regions.
“Law enforcement leaders have been clear about the urgent need for stronger tools, coordinated action, and enhanced support for victims,” said MP Sonia Sidhu. “Our government is committed to working with provinces, municipalities, and frontline agencies to keep Canadians safe. This work is ongoing, and we will continue taking meaningful steps to protect communities here in Brampton and across the country.”