Brampton Mayor expresses cautious optimism regarding potential classification of Bishnoi gang as terrorists.
** updated take on the tale:**
Toronto - Brampton's Mayor Patrick Brown is keeping a finger crossed about the possibility of India's Lawrence Bishnoi gang getting labeled as a terrorist group following a huddle with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree.
Brown shared that he, along with Peel police reps, had a sit-down with the federal minister earlier this week. The meeting was called after Brown wondered if slapping the Bishnoi gang onto Ottawa's list of terror organizations would boost enforcement efforts.
The Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, had previously penned a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney asking him to take the step to categorize the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity - a move the government made with seven other transnational criminal groups this year.
According to Brown, the Peel police informed him a terrorist designation would be gainful. They staunchly believe that the gang is deep in some serious criminal shenanigans. "We're talking about extortions and homicides in our area," Brown said. "I think Anandasangaree took it seriously. I'm guardedly positive he'll make this designation."
When prompted about Eby's request, Anandasangaree mentioned that national security experts constantly assess whether criminal outfits meet the legal criteria to be named as terrorist groups.
The RCMP asserts that Indian dignitaries have shared details about Sikh separatists in Canada with the Indian government, which they then passed on to the Bishnoi gang.
Brown pointed out that the gang has become more bold in Brampton, and local police have spotted vehicles embellished with Bishnoi-associated decals in the Ontario city.
"They've got close to 700 assassins worldwide. They clear every hurdle required to be designated as a terrorist organization," he said. "If we can offer police this tool to aid them in combatting this threat in Canada, I'd say that's a no-brainer."
As per the Criminal Code, terrorist activity involves a violent act, intentionally committed for political, ideological, or religious motives, and aimed at intimidating a segment of the public.
Lawrence Bishnoi has been in Indian prison since 2015 and faces over two dozen criminal charges. He stands accused of orchestrating acts of extortion while behind bars, using a cellphone.
India's counterterrorism agency, the National Investigation Agency, declared in 2023 that Bishnoi was running his "terror group from jails in various Indian states" and through an associate in Canada.
Once a group is enlisted in Canada's terrorist entity list, the government can freeze any of the group's assets and provide law enforcement with additional tools to investigate crimes associated with financing, travel, and recruitment.
"If someone rocked up with a Bishnoi decal on their car or jacket, and we've seen that, it would give police the green light to launch an immediate investigation," Brown said.
"Sometimes the legal process, due to the need for warrants or authorization, doesn't move as swiftly as needed to keep up with the flexibility of these crime networks."
-Additional data from Fakiha Baig in Toronto, file from The Canadian Press first published June 20, 2025.
[In the background: Canadian authorities are seriously considering recognizing the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization after pressure from political leaders like David Eby and Patrick Brown. The gang has been linked to violent crimes and extortion activities across the nation. Although no official designation has been made yet, the federal government is thought to be assessing whether the group meets the legal criteria for a terrorist label.]
- Mayor Patrick Brown of Brampton is optimistic about the possibility of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang being labeled as a terrorist group by the Canadian government, following a meeting with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree.
- David Eby, the Premier of British Columbia, had previously written to Prime Minister Mark Carney, urging a designation of the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist entity.
- The Peel police support this measure, believing it would augment enforcement efforts against the gang, involved in extortions and homicides in the area.
- The federal minister, Anandasangaree, mentioned that national security experts are consistently evaluating whether criminal outfits qualify to be labeled as terrorist groups.
- The Bishnoi gang has been linked to acts of extortion and is suspected of operating with over 700 associates worldwide.
- If recognized as a terrorist organization, the Canadian government could freeze the group's assets and provide additional tools to law enforcement for investigating crimes related to financing, travel, and recruitment.
- The recognition of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization is currently under consideration by Canadian authorities, following pressure from political leaders and due to the gang's association with violent crimes and extortion activities across the nation.
