The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) says escalating truck and trailer thefts, extortion and organized crime-related violence have become a crisis for Ontario’s trucking industry.
The comments followed a series of announcements made Jan. 13 by federal and provincial officials at a trilateral summit focused on extortion targeting businesses and individuals, according to an OTA news release.
Gary Anandasangaree, minister of public safety, Ruby Sahota, secretary of state for combating crime, and Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner announced $1 million in funding for Peel Regional Police to combat extortion, along with $4 million over four years to the province of Ontario to address the illegal drug trade.
OTA said a surge in extortion attempts, often accompanied by targeted shootings and other forms of violence, has affected many trucking businesses and surrounding communities near transportation hubs, primarily in the Greater Toronto Area.
“Extortion and organized crime are plaguing Ontarians and businesses, and the Ontario trucking industry is one of the main targets,” OTA President Stephen Laskowski said in the release. “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.”
International gangs
About 470 extortion cases have been reported in the region since December 2023. Police and the minister of public safety have linked the increase to international gangs involved in the movement of guns and illegal drugs.
OTA said it has repeatedly raised concerns about the growing presence of organized crime in the trucking industry, noting a related rise in truck and trailer thefts and increased seizures of guns and drugs at the border and at businesses connected to trucking operations.
“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 business,” Laskowski said.
OTA said it has communicated its concerns to Queen’s Park regarding truck and community safety and the broader impact of organized crime on the trucking industry.
Credit: Source link
