
Brampton mayor ‘cautiously optimistic’ about Bishnoi gang terrorist designation
OTTAWA — Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said Friday he’s “cautiously optimistic” about the chances of naming India’s Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist group after meeting with Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree.
Brown said he and representatives of Peel police met with the federal minister Wednesday after he asked police whether adding the Bishnoi gang to Ottawa’s list of terrorist organizations would help with enforcement.
British Columbia Premier David Eby sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier this week asking him to designate the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization — something the government did with seven other transnational criminal organizations earlier this year.
Brown said Peel police told him a terrorist designation “would be helpful” and that the gang is involved in “serious criminal activity.”