Canada needs to end its tag of safe haven for criminals/gangs from Punjab

Canada is grappling with the consequences of its lenient policies that have allowed fugitive gangsters and terror-linked operatives from Punjab to establish a dangerous foothold within its borders.

The escalation of gang violence, driven by the newly designated terrorist entity, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, has transformed isolated criminal acts into a transnational crisis, marked by extortion, drug trafficking, and targeted shootings that endanger communities and strain India-Canada relations. The Bishnoi gang exemplifies this crisis.

High-profile attacks, such as the three shootings in three months targeting comedian Kapil Sharma’s cafe in Surrey, British Columbia, underscore the gang’s audacity. Operatives like Gurpreet Singh (alias Goldy Dhillon) and Kulvir Sidhu, wanted by Indian authorities, have claimed responsibility via social media, issuing threats like “bullets can come from anywhere”.

On October 6, shots were fired at the Surrey Police Service station located in the Whalley neighbourhood of Surrey, BC. The incident occurred in a busy urban area and prompted an immediate investigation into potential gang-related activity or targeted violence. On the same day as the latest cafe attack, gunmen fired at Zamindar Bar & Grill in Brampton, revealing a pattern of extortion followed by violent reprisals to assert dominance and instill fear.

Canada’s Punjabi diaspora, while contributing positively to the nation’s cultural and economic fabric, has been tarnished by a small but dangerous subset of criminal elements from Punjab. These groups have exploited Canada’s permissive immigration and enforcement policies to establish drug smuggling networks, particularly in British Columbia, which serve as hubs for international trafficking. Extortion rackets targeting Indian-origin businesses have become commonplace, with threats issued in Punjabi and enforced through violence, creating a climate of fear in cities like Surrey, Brampton, and Vancouver.

Goldy Brar, a key Bishnoi associate, epitomises Canada’s failure to curb these threats. Operating freely for years, Brar coordinated high-profile crimes, including the 2022 murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, before being designated a terrorist by India and flagged internationally.

Communities live under the shadow of gang violence and the drug trade, fuelled in part by operatives from Punjab, continues to destabilise Canadian communities.

Canada’s failure to decisively address criminal infiltration from Punjab has allowed groups like the Bishnoi gang to thrive, threatening public safety and bilateral relations. Canada’s emergence as a safe haven has amplified their reach, turning local disputes into international crises.

While recent efforts signal progress, experts stress that sustained cooperation and stricter policies are essential to dismantle these networks and restore stability.