In an urgent op-ed, Patrick Brown, the mayor of Brampton, calls for the immediate passage of Bill C-2 to tackle the growing extortion epidemic affecting Canadian communities. He highlights alarming statistics revealing that Peel Region has experienced a significant uptick in extortion crimes, with over 41 recorded incidents involving transnational gangs from January 2024 to November 2025. Brown stresses the severity of these incidents, which have escalated into violence, endangering families and businesses, and underscoring a growing threat to public safety.

Brown advocates for a collaborative approach between federal agencies and local law enforcement to effectively address the situation. He specifically mentions the need for representatives from the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to be actively involved in local task forces combating extortion. He argues that local police are overwhelmed and cannot afford to wait for federal responses, making timely cooperation imperative in fighting this crisis before it spreads to other communities.

The op-ed not only sheds light on the pressing issue of extortion in Brampton but also serves as a rallying cry for lawmakers to prioritize public safety through legislative action. By urging Parliament to pass Bill C-2, Brown aims to catalyze necessary reforms and funding that can empower local authorities to combat crime effectively and restore safety in their neighborhoods.