Poilievre pledges to establish minimum prison sentences for extortion

Pierre Poilievre is promising to establish mandatory minimum prison sentences for criminals convicted of extortion, including tougher punishments for people who use firearms to extort others or act on behalf of gangs.

The federal Conservative leader made the announcement Friday in Surrey, B.C.

«We will bring in jail, not bail, for repeat, violent extortionists,» Poilievre said.

If elected, Poilievre said his government will establish a mandatory minimum sentence of three years for anyone convicted of extortion.

His announcement took aim at the Liberal government's decision in 2022 to eliminate some mandatory minimum sentences, which the government said was part of its commitment to fight systemic racism.

Bill C-5 repealed a portion of the Criminal Code which had a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for someone convicted of extortion with a restricted or prohibited firearm, or for using a firearm and acting on behalf of a criminal organization.

Poilievre promised that any convicted extortionist who acts on behalf of gangs or organized crime will face a minimum sentence of five years.

«We need to crack down on the gangsters that prey on vulnerable youth, and my proposals will put these gangsters behind bars,» Poilievre said.

Poilievre said the Conservative Party will restore the repealed minimum sentence for extortion with firearms but will set the sentence at four years instead of the previous five.

CBC News reached out to Poilievre's office to ask about the one year difference but did not receive a response by publication time.

Canadian cities report rising extortion threats

Across the country, multiple municipalities are reporting a rising number of extortion threats in their communities.

On Tuesday, RCMP charged a man in