BC's Public Safety critic alleges government failure in tackling extortion crises
MLA for West Kelowna-Peachland and Critic for Public Safety and Solicitor General, Macklin McCall, says the Eby government’s repeated policing announcements have failed to deliver the front-line capacity British Columbians were promised, forcing communities to look to Ottawa for help as violent extortion escalates.
In Budget 2023, the Eby NDP government promised a $230-million boost for communities served by provincial police services, saying it would help hire another 256 RCMP officers to strengthen enforcement and crime prevention capacity.
However, the Province’s own Police Resources in British Columbia (2024) report shows the authorized strength of the Provincial Police Service (RCMP) has remained at 2,602 across the 10-year trend table.
There is also a difference between authorized and actual strength. The 2,602 are what has been authorized by the province. Not the actual number of RCMP deployed in B.C. communities.
“Premier Eby’s government made big promises but didn’t deliver the officers,” said McCall. “Now we’re watching an extortion crisis unfold in the Lower Mainland while the province scrambles and municipalities plead for help. Where did the money go and where are the police? British Columbians deserve action and accountability.”
Federal reinforcements underscore provincial capacity gap
As extortion-related violence surged, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said she was told Ottawa would send 20 more RCMP officers to help address a rash of extortion cases. Police leaders from multiple provinces were expected to convene in Surrey as part of a coordinated response.
“This government promised policing capacity years ago, then when pressure peaked, they ran to the federal government for reinforcements,” McCall said. “That’s not a plan. It’s a symptom of broken commitments and chronic under-resourcing.”
McCall says government must clearly show how promised funding translated into deployable officers, specialized investigative capacity, and visible community protection, particularly for communities facing targeted intimidation.
