Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has formally called on the federal government to designate the Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization, aligning her province’s position with that of British Columbia Premier David Eby, who made a similar plea in June.
In a joint statement issued Monday with Mike Ellis, Alberta’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, Premier Smith said:
“The Lawrence Bishnoi Gang is a transnational criminal network responsible for violence, extortion, drug trafficking and targeted killings, including here in Canada. Its reach is global, and its intent is criminal and violent.”
The Alberta leadership emphasized that formally labeling the gang as a terrorist group would unlock essential legal tools for law enforcement, stating it would allow provincial and municipal police to access enhanced powers to disrupt gang activity and protect communities.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has roots in India, has been increasingly linked to organized crime in Canada, including extortion schemes in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. Authorities say the gang has extended its operations into Canadian territory, posing a growing threat to public safety.
BC’s Premier David Eby had already raised the alarm in June, pushing Ottawa to take federal-level action.
The Canadian government has not yet responded publicly to the calls for designation, but pressure is mounting from provincial leaders to recognize and confront the transnational nature of gang violence tied to the Bishnoi network.