January 14, 2026
Brampton, ON
Arpan Chahal
Concerns around safety, extortion, and long-term stability are pushing a growing number of Punjabi-owned businesses to relocate from Canada to the United States, according to a prominent business consultant who recently spoke on RED FM.
Avi Dhaliwal, a businessman and business consultant, discussed the trend during an interview with host Shameel Jasvir on RED FM’s Good Morning Toronto. Dhaliwal said what began as isolated concerns in late 2023 has escalated into a widespread issue affecting the Punjabi business community across the Greater Toronto Area, particularly in Brampton.
Dhaliwal explained that extortion calls targeting business owners started surfacing toward the end of 2023. At the time, many dismissed the problem, believing it was limited to a small number of individuals or industries. However, by June 2025, the situation had intensified significantly.
“This is no longer a small issue,” Dhaliwal said. “Our community is working under fear.”
Trucking and Hospitality hit hardest
According to Dhaliwal, trucking businesses were the first to be targeted, largely because transportation has long been a backbone of the Punjabi business community. Over time, the problem expanded beyond trucking into hospitality, including hotels and restaurants.
Using business migration and investment data, Dhaliwal said roughly 70 per cent of Punjabi-owned businesses considering relocation are in the trucking sector, followed by the hospitality industry. Some of these companies employ anywhere from 400 to 1,000 workers and have begun shifting operations to U.S. states such as Texas, Florida, Indiana, and Dallas.
For trucking companies, the move is often easier logistically. Many have re-registered fleets in the U.S. while continuing to operate cross-border routes. In many cases, business owners are also relocating their families south of the border.
Safety driving long-term decisions
Dhaliwal said safety, not profits, is the primary motivation behind the shift.
“People contacting us say their main goal is safety,” he noted. “They want to live in states that are tough on crime and strongly protect businesses.”
He added that many are intentionally avoiding states like California, instead choosing Republican-led states they believe offer stronger law enforcement responses.
The fear has also had cultural and personal consequences. In parts of Brampton, such as the Castlemore area, private security has become common. Dhaliwal claimed some families avoided public celebrations last Christmas, while others no longer live in their homes, opting instead for high-security downtown condominiums.
He also noted a rise in Punjabi Canadians applying for gun licences, something he described as unthinkable for many families just a few years ago.
Impact on Canada’s economy
Dhaliwal warned the trend could have serious economic consequences if it continues unchecked. He said many Punjabi-owned businesses are now hesitant to reinvest in Canada, citing uncertainty and fear.
Using tax contribution estimates, Dhaliwal explained that a Canadian earning $70,000 annually contributes roughly $1.5 million in taxes over their lifetime, while someone earning $150,000 contributes about $3 million. If 1,000 high-earning individuals leave Canada, he said, the country could lose up to $3 billion in lifetime tax revenue.
“In one year, losing a thousand people like this is massive,” he said.
Data discussed during the interview also pointed to broader global movement among wealthy individuals. In 2024, Canada reportedly saw 3,200 millionaires arrive, while 3,800 moved to the U.S. However, in 2025, Dhaliwal said Canada faced a net loss of about 1,000 millionaires, while destinations like Dubai and the U.S. gained thousands.
Geopolitical, not just economic
Dhaliwal stressed that the issue should not be viewed solely through an economic lens.
“This is a geopolitical and safety issue,” he said. “But it’s not being treated as a mainstream Canadian issue. It’s often seen as just a Punjabi problem.”
He added that Brampton has become the focal point of these concerns, despite their wider implications. Dhaliwal said he has personally raised the issue with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, urging stronger action to address organized extortion and restore confidence among business owners.
“Years ago, people came to Canada because it was safe,” Dhaliwal said. “Now, people are leaving Canada for that same reason.”
He warned that without decisive intervention, Canada risks losing not just businesses, but an entire generation of young, successful Punjabi entrepreneurs who once saw the country as a place to build their future.
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