Canada announces new measures to help detect and disrupt extortion money flows
The Government of Canada has posted a new release outlining five measures aimed at detecting, disrupting, and preventing extortion—especially in areas it says are most affected, including Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.
Most of the plan centers on FINTRAC (Canada’s financial intelligence unit) working more closely with police and financial institutions to “follow the money.”
One note for readers: the release page is filed under February 2026 and shows “Date Modified: 2026-02-19”, but the dateline inside the text reads February 19, 2025.
What the government says it will do
According to the official release, the plan includes these five steps:
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Surge FINTRAC resources focused on extortion, so police receive financial intelligence faster.
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Launch a “Countering Extortion Partnership” with banks, credit unions, and virtual asset service providers (including crypto), alongside partners such as OSFI, the RCMP, and local police.
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Deploy FINTRAC liaison officers to support police “on the ground” in priority areas such as B.C., Alberta, and Ontario.
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Issue Targeted Indicator Profiles (TIP sheets) to help financial institutions recognize patterns commonly linked to extortion and report suspicious transactions more consistently.
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Publish strategic intelligence on how extortion proceeds are moved and hidden (money laundering typologies and indicators).
What FINTRAC is changing in practice
FINTRAC’s backgrounders explain the “how” behind the plan:
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TIP sheets are meant to fast-track sharing of indicators with key financial entities through “trusted channels,” and to improve the timeliness and quality of suspicious transaction reporting.
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The liaison function is designed for regular, on-site engagement with select police services, and specifically mentions deployment to British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario.
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FINTRAC also describes outreach sessions and a planned bulletin to share extortion-related money laundering methods more broadly with reporting entities.
Why this matters for newcomers and temporary residents
Extortion can target anyone, but newcomers and small businesses can be especially vulnerable because they may feel unsure about where to report, what to share, or whether reporting could affect their status.
This announcement does not change immigration eligibility rules by itself. What it does signal is a stronger federal focus on:
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faster intelligence support to police, and
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tighter cooperation with banks and other financial entities to spot suspicious flows.
If you’re a worker or student in Canada, the practical takeaway is simple: don’t assume “this is just a private matter.” The government is explicitly trying to make extortion cases easier to trace financially.
How this connects to larger federal enforcement plans
The same release ties these steps to broader federal efforts, including:
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Budget 2025 funding of $1.7 billion to strengthen RCMP capacity related to transnational organized crime and financial crimes, and
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a plan to introduce legislation by spring 2026 to establish a new Financial Crimes Agency.
It also references Bill C-12 (Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act) and says it proposes stronger AML/ATF supervision and penalties.
FAQs
Is this a new immigration rule?
No. This is a financial intelligence and law enforcement set of measures, not a new PR/work permit/study permit pathway.
What is a TIP sheet?
FINTRAC describes TIP sheets (Targeted Indicator Profiles) as a tool to share emerging indicators, trends, and typologies tied to extortion so reporting improves and intelligence can move faster.
Which provinces are highlighted?
The government and FINTRAC materials repeatedly highlight Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta as priority areas for this work.
Reality check
These measures are mainly about better detection and faster investigations, not instant results. Even with stronger intelligence tools, outcomes depend on reporting quality, police capacity, and how quickly networks adapt.
