B.C. Premier David Eby to push for U.S.-style anti-racketeering law at First Ministers' meetings

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he will urge Canada's premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney to consider introducing federal anti-racketeering legislation similar to the United States' Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act in an effort to combat extortion and organized crime.

According to Eby, he plans to raise the proposal during next week's Council of the Federation meeting and the First Ministers' Meeting. He said recent arrests in a U.S. law enforcement operation, in which charges were also laid against three British Columbia residents, highlight the need for stronger legal tools to target organized crime networks and those who assist them.

Eby said a Canadian version of the RICO Act would provide law enforcement agencies with additional powers to investigate and prosecute organized criminal activity. He argued that current laws do not provide the same level of enforcement available under the U.S. framework.

The premier acknowledged that civil liberties and human rights organizations may oppose legislation that expands police powers. However, he said stronger measures should be considered if they are necessary to improve public safety and address extortion and organized crime.