The leader of the Conservative Party, Pierre Poilievre, said that the Conservative government will set a minimum mandatory prison sentence for people convicted of extortion.

The opposition leader added that extortion-related crimes have increased significantly as police in multiple provinces deal with organized crime threats against businesses.

He also mentioned that the Conservatives will impose mandatory minimum sentences of three years for anyone convicted of extortion, and five years for anyone found to be working on behalf of gangs or organized crime."

He pointed out that his party's plan will give police and prosecutors another tool to target criminal gang leaders, reinstating the mandatory minimum sentence of four years for extortionists who use

He explained that arson will be considered an “aggravating factor" in extortion cases.

His comments come amid a wave of extortion threats, shootings, and arson, which police in three provinces say primarily target
businesses owned by South Asians.