Out-of-control truck and trailer thefts, extortion and organized crime-related violence plaguing Ontario’s trucking industry is a crisis that continues to escalate, says the Ontario Trucking Association.
Today, at a trilateral summit on extortion targeting businesses and people, Ottawa and Queen’s Park made a series of announcements on the matter.
Gary Anandasangaree, minister of Public Safety, Ruby Sahota, Secretary of State for Combatting Crime, along with Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, announced $1 million for Peel Regional Police to combat extortion and $4 million over four years to the province of Ontario to combat the illegal drug trade.
A flood of extortion attempts – often accompanied with targeted shootings and other forms of violence – is plaguing many trucking businesses and the communities near transportation hubs, mainly in the 905 area.
“Extortion and organized crime are plaguing Ontarians and businesses, and the Ontario trucking industry is one of the main targets,” said OTA president Stephen Laskowski. “This is a serious problem that requires multijurisdictional commitment and resources. Today’s announcements are a welcomed start, but much more needs to be done.”
It was reported at today’s press conference there are about 470 extortion cases since December 2023 in the region. Police and the Minister of Public Safety linked the rise in extortion to international gangs involved in the movement guns and illegal drugs.
OTA has been sounding the alarm over the increased presence of organized crime in the Ontario trucking industry, which has also led to a troubling increase of truck and trailer thefts as well as increased seizures of guns and drugs at the border and businesses linked to trucking companies.
“Organized crime is gaining a chokehold on the trucking industry and the rampant lawlessness is becoming out of control, threatening the physical safety of people and businesses in our sector as well as the global reputation of our province as a safe and secure place to do businesses,” says Laskowski.
OTA has communicated to Queen’s Park its concerns with truck and community safety and the impact of organized crime on the trucking industry.