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Champagne unveils Ottawa’s ‘follow the money’ plan to tackle extortion
The strategy involves FINTRAC working with law enforcement and financial institutions to disrupt criminal networks, with 476 extortion crimes reported in Peel Region last year.
- On Feb. 19, 2026, Champagne announced in Mississauga that FINTRAC experts will focus on extortion targeting Canadian businesses and households.
- Local officials say rising threats and community fear prompted Brampton mayor and Caledon mayor to urge Ottawa to create a multi-jurisdictional strategy after summits in Brampton and Surrey earlier this year.
- Launching new data-sharing links, the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada will partner with Canadian banks, credit unions and cryptocurrency service providers to flag extortion, Champagne said.
- Officials said the measures will help police follow the money after Peel Regional Police reported 476 crimes last year and Ontario Provincial Police recorded at least 41 incidents in Caledon since December 2023.
- Looking ahead, officials aim to pair legal changes with cross-sector coordination as the federal government brings law enforcement and financial institutions together and plans to table legislation by the spring to create a Financial Crimes Agency.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Federal minister outlines plan to make criminals' lives 'miserable' in crackdown on extortion crimes
The federal finance minister visited Mississauga, Ont., Thursday to announce dedicated financial intelligence experts who will focus on extortion crime targeting Canadian businesses and households.
The Toronto Star
Champagne unveils Ottawa’s ‘follow the money’ plan to tackle extortion
The federal government is bringing law enforcement and financial institutions together in a bid to fight extortion operations targeting Canadian businesses and households.
Winnipeg Free Press
Champagne unveils Ottawa's 'follow the money' plan to tackle extortion
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
Finance minister unveils Ottawa’s ‘follow the money’ plan to tackle extortion
OTTAWA — The federal government is bringing law enforcement and financial institutions together to fight extortion operations targeting Canadian businesses and households. Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne was in Mississauga, Ont., on Thursday to announce a suite of new initiatives he said will make it easier for police to "follow the money" and disrupt criminal networks. Champagne said organized crime is making Canadians anxious in t…
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