Available on

Navigation

Location

101-2032 Columbia Avenue
Castlegar, BC, V1N 2W7

Phone numbers

Studio: 250-365-6100 OR 1-877-560-1010
Office Phone: 250-365-7600
Office Fax: 250-365-8480

- Advertisement -

© 2025

Sample Page Title

The B.C. government is partnering with Crime Stoppers on an awareness campaign to encourage members of the South Asian community who have been targeted by extortion to come forward. 

“If you are a victim of extortion, the most important thing you can do is report it,” said Public Safety Minister Gary Begg at an event in Surrey on Thursday. 

He said the province is giving Crime Stoppers $100,000 to run the 60-day campaign, which will be available in English and Punjabi, and include advertisements on radio, podcasts, Spotify, social media and television. 

The RCMP last year announced a nationally co-ordinated team to investigate reports of extortion and threats targeting South Asian communities in multiple provinces. Police said individuals or businesses are being contacted with demands for money and threatened with violence if they refused to pay.  

Chief Constable Norm Lipinski said Surrey Police are investigating a dozen cases of extortion reported since the beginning of this year and has implemented a dedicated team working full-time on the files, working with victims to create a safety plan for victims and their families. 

Begg acknowledged there’s a fear in the South Asian community that they could be further targeted or retaliated against after reporting crimes to police. He noted that Crime Stoppers allows people to report crimes anonymously.

“Trust in police is important, police can only work with the co-operation of citizens,” said Begg.

A web page for the campaign on the B.C. Crime Stoppers campaign warns that paying once doesn’t stop demands, and adds some businesses have lost millions to extortionists.

Premier David Eby announced last week he would ask the federal government to declare the India-based Lawrence Bishnoi gang as a terrorist organization. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and Brampton, Ontario, mayor Patrick Brown have since joined that call.

“I continue to receive calls from residents who are too frightened to go to police,” said Locke in a statement. “We must ask ourselves why they are scared. Fear should never silence victims or witnesses.”

The designation of the gang as a terrorist organization would give police more leeway to investigate the gang, including freezing its assets in Canada. 

Emily Joveski
Emily Joveski
Emily Joveski is the provincial news reporter for Vista Radio, based in Victoria B.C. She has worked in radio for more than a decade, and was previously on the airwaves as a broadcaster for The Canadian Press in Toronto. When she's not at her desk, she might be found exploring Vancouver Island or loitering in a local book store.

Continue Reading

cjat Now playing play

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Castlegar airport manager moving on

The man who has presided over recent expansions and upgrades at the West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar has taken another job.

Federal funding boosts research and Indigenous knowledge on wildfires

Ottawa is offering $45.7 million for projects in B.C. and across Canada that advance knowledge about wildfires. 

B.C. invests $35M in clean energy project fund

British Columbia is investing $35 million towards new clean energy projects, through the CleanBC Industry Fund. 

Contract awarded to demolish Castlegar’s Eremenko building

A West Kelowna company will demolish a downtown Castlegar building that sits on land earmarked for a housing development.

Anti-human trafficking initiative comes to Castlegar

The West Kootenay Regional Airport has joined an initiative co-founded by country music star Paul Brandt to fight human trafficking.
- Advertisement -

Sample Page Title

- Advertisement -

Castlegar airport manager moving on

The man who has presided over recent expansions and upgrades at the West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar has taken another job.

Federal funding boosts research and Indigenous knowledge on wildfires

Ottawa is offering $45.7 million for projects in B.C. and across Canada that advance knowledge about wildfires. 

B.C. invests $35M in clean energy project fund

British Columbia is investing $35 million towards new clean energy projects, through the CleanBC Industry Fund. 

Contract awarded to demolish Castlegar’s Eremenko building

A West Kelowna company will demolish a downtown Castlegar building that sits on land earmarked for a housing development.

Anti-human trafficking initiative comes to Castlegar

The West Kootenay Regional Airport has joined an initiative co-founded by country music star Paul Brandt to fight human trafficking.

Pellet gun seized in Trail

Police said they responded Friday afternoon to the 100 block of Reservoir Road about a man waving a weapon.

B.C. to appeal court decision on Quw’utsun Nation land claim in Richmond

British Columbia intends to appeal a decision by the province’s top court in favour of the Quw’utsun First Nations in their land and fishery claim in Richmond.

Heat warnings issued through Tuesday for B.C. south coast, parts of Interior

Scorching temperatures are expected through Tuesday in southwestern British Columbia, climbing as high as 35 degrees in some areas. 

Wildfire west of Castlegar now being held

The fire on the north side of Mount Mackie is listed at 182.5 hectares. It's the largest wildfire burning in the West Kootenay, but it poses no threat to homes or to Highway 3.

Good berry year equals good bear year in Castlegar

WildSafeBC says to its knowledge, no bears have been destroyed in and around the community.

Upgrades underway on Rossland skatepark

Rossland's skatepark should reopen next week, boasting some new features.

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Sample Page Title

Sample author description

Author Archive

Castlegar airport manager moving on

The man who has presided over recent expansions and upgrades at the West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar has taken another job.

Federal funding boosts research and Indigenous knowledge on wildfires

Ottawa is offering $45.7 million for projects in B.C. and across Canada that advance knowledge about wildfires. 

B.C. invests $35M in clean energy project fund

British Columbia is investing $35 million towards new clean energy projects, through the CleanBC Industry Fund. 

Contract awarded to demolish Castlegar’s Eremenko building

A West Kelowna company will demolish a downtown Castlegar building that sits on land earmarked for a housing development.

Anti-human trafficking initiative comes to Castlegar

The West Kootenay Regional Airport has joined an initiative co-founded by country music star Paul Brandt to fight human trafficking.

Pellet gun seized in Trail

Police said they responded Friday afternoon to the 100 block of Reservoir Road about a man waving a weapon.

B.C. to appeal court decision on Quw’utsun Nation land claim in Richmond

British Columbia intends to appeal a decision by the province’s top court in favour of the Quw’utsun First Nations in their land and fishery claim in Richmond.

Heat warnings issued through Tuesday for B.C. south coast, parts of Interior

Scorching temperatures are expected through Tuesday in southwestern British Columbia, climbing as high as 35 degrees in some areas. 

Wildfire west of Castlegar now being held

The fire on the north side of Mount Mackie is listed at 182.5 hectares. It's the largest wildfire burning in the West Kootenay, but it poses no threat to homes or to Highway 3.

Good berry year equals good bear year in Castlegar

WildSafeBC says to its knowledge, no bears have been destroyed in and around the community.

Upgrades underway on Rossland skatepark

Rossland's skatepark should reopen next week, boasting some new features.

Smoke Eaters announce new partnership

Trail Smoke Eaters announce groundbreaking partnership with 49ing, becoming the first BCHL team to joint he platform.

Castlegar Rebels sign new goalie

The Castlegar Rebels have announced the signing 2007-born Hunter Edwards.

Lt. Robert Hampton Gray remembered in Trail

The last Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross was honored in the city of his birth Friday, a day before the 80th anniversary of his death during the Second World War.

Parks visitors can snap photos to help researchers track glacier changes

In addition to snapping a selfie during a visit to a national or provincial park, visitors are being encouraged to take an “Icy.”

B.C. jobs decline in July: Women and youth most impacted

British Columbia lost about 16,000 jobs in July, mirroring a broader national decline.

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Castlegar airport manager moving on

The man who has presided over recent expansions and upgrades at the West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar has taken another job.

Federal funding boosts research and Indigenous knowledge on wildfires

Ottawa is offering $45.7 million for projects in B.C. and across Canada that advance knowledge about wildfires. 

B.C. invests $35M in clean energy project fund

British Columbia is investing $35 million towards new clean energy projects, through the CleanBC Industry Fund. 

Contract awarded to demolish Castlegar’s Eremenko building

A West Kelowna company will demolish a downtown Castlegar building that sits on land earmarked for a housing development.

Anti-human trafficking initiative comes to Castlegar

The West Kootenay Regional Airport has joined an initiative co-founded by country music star Paul Brandt to fight human trafficking.
- Advertisement -

Search results for: Sample Page Title

Castlegar airport manager moving on

The man who has presided over recent expansions and upgrades at the West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar has taken another job.

Federal funding boosts research and Indigenous knowledge on wildfires

Ottawa is offering $45.7 million for projects in B.C. and across Canada that advance knowledge about wildfires. 

B.C. invests $35M in clean energy project fund

British Columbia is investing $35 million towards new clean energy projects, through the CleanBC Industry Fund. 

Contract awarded to demolish Castlegar’s Eremenko building

A West Kelowna company will demolish a downtown Castlegar building that sits on land earmarked for a housing development.

Anti-human trafficking initiative comes to Castlegar

The West Kootenay Regional Airport has joined an initiative co-founded by country music star Paul Brandt to fight human trafficking.

Pellet gun seized in Trail

Police said they responded Friday afternoon to the 100 block of Reservoir Road about a man waving a weapon.

B.C. to appeal court decision on Quw’utsun Nation land claim in Richmond

British Columbia intends to appeal a decision by the province’s top court in favour of the Quw’utsun First Nations in their land and fishery claim in Richmond.

Heat warnings issued through Tuesday for B.C. south coast, parts of Interior

Scorching temperatures are expected through Tuesday in southwestern British Columbia, climbing as high as 35 degrees in some areas. 

Wildfire west of Castlegar now being held

The fire on the north side of Mount Mackie is listed at 182.5 hectares. It's the largest wildfire burning in the West Kootenay, but it poses no threat to homes or to Highway 3.

Good berry year equals good bear year in Castlegar

WildSafeBC says to its knowledge, no bears have been destroyed in and around the community.

Upgrades underway on Rossland skatepark

Rossland's skatepark should reopen next week, boasting some new features.

Smoke Eaters announce new partnership

Trail Smoke Eaters announce groundbreaking partnership with 49ing, becoming the first BCHL team to joint he platform.

Castlegar Rebels sign new goalie

The Castlegar Rebels have announced the signing 2007-born Hunter Edwards.

Lt. Robert Hampton Gray remembered in Trail

The last Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross was honored in the city of his birth Friday, a day before the 80th anniversary of his death during the Second World War.

Parks visitors can snap photos to help researchers track glacier changes

In addition to snapping a selfie during a visit to a national or provincial park, visitors are being encouraged to take an “Icy.”

B.C. jobs decline in July: Women and youth most impacted

British Columbia lost about 16,000 jobs in July, mirroring a broader national decline.

ckqr Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Castlegar airport manager moving on

The man who has presided over recent expansions and upgrades at the West Kootenay Regional Airport in Castlegar has taken another job.

Federal funding boosts research and Indigenous knowledge on wildfires

Ottawa is offering $45.7 million for projects in B.C. and across Canada that advance knowledge about wildfires. 

B.C. invests $35M in clean energy project fund

British Columbia is investing $35 million towards new clean energy projects, through the CleanBC Industry Fund. 

Contract awarded to demolish Castlegar’s Eremenko building

A West Kelowna company will demolish a downtown Castlegar building that sits on land earmarked for a housing development.

Anti-human trafficking initiative comes to Castlegar

The West Kootenay Regional Airport has joined an initiative co-founded by country music star Paul Brandt to fight human trafficking.
- Advertisement -