Last Updated On 18 March 2026, 9:03 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
Canada is facing an alarming crisis of violence against immigrants that demands immediate government attention and action.
Three South Asian immigrants lost their lives in a devastating 48-hour period from March 13-14, 2026, in three separate provinces: British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
These killings are not isolated incidents but part of a disturbing pattern that has seen dozens of immigrants, particularly from India, lose their lives to violence since 2024.
As Canada’s leading immigration news source, Immigration News Canada calls upon all levels of government—federal, provincial, and municipal as well as the RCMP and local police forces to treat this crisis with the urgency it demands.
Table of Contents
Three Provinces, Three Deaths, 48 Hours
We will remember the week of March 13-14, 2026, as one of the darkest periods for immigrant safety in Canada.
Three young men from India, all contributing members of Canadian society, lost their lives in separate incidents across British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.
Birinder Singh – Highway 2, Alberta (March 14, 2026)
On March 14, 2026, Birinder Singh, 22, was shot and killed in what appears to have been a random drive-by shooting on Highway 2 near Leduc, Alberta.
Singh, an Edmonton resident, was travelling with two childhood friends to visit Banff National Park, his first time visiting the popular tourist destination.
At approximately 2:50 p.m., near Township Road 490, witnesses observed a white or grey pickup truck pull alongside Singh’s black 2012 Honda Civic.
The occupants of the truck discharged a weapon toward the Civic before speeding away.
Singh, who was driving, was struck with bullet and suffered significant blood loss.
His friends attempted to apply pressure to his wounds and called 911, but despite rapid response from first responders, Singh died in the vehicle.
“He don’t deserve this, like he was a really nice guy,” one of his surviving friends told media.
“We have right to know the reason why they shoot at us… Why there is much hate? We do also have a right to live, right?”
The friends, who have known Singh for 16 years since childhood in India, say they had never seen the occupants of the truck before and have no explanation for the attack.
They fear the shooting may have been a hate crime, noting that animosity towards South Asians has been a topic of growing concern in the community.
RCMP Major Crimes is investigating but has stated they do not yet have enough information to determine whether the shooting was random or targeted.
No arrests have been made as of this publication.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help send Singh’s body back to India so his parents can see their son one last time.
Devinder Singh – North Battleford, Saskatchewan (March 13, 2026)
Devinder Singh, a 30-year-old taxi driver from Punjab’s Moga district, was shot and killed while working the morning of March 13 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan.
Singh had received a call to pick up a passenger from a motel on the Highway 16 Bypass at approximately 7:45 a.m.
While waiting in his taxi, a woman reportedly fled the motel with a man in pursuit.
The gunman opened fire, and Singh was fatally struck, caught in the crossfire while simply doing his job.
Singh had moved to Canada approximately four years earlier to join his wife, working as a driver for Crown Cab while also running a café with her.
“He had three jobs. He was working for his family. He was not just a driver; he was an asset to Crown Cab. It’s been three years since he’s been full-time. He never took a day off,” said Haris Korath, one of the owners of Crown Cab.
Two 19-year-old men from North Battleford have been arrested: Kojac Adams has been charged with first-degree murder, forcible confinement, assault with a weapon, and pointing a firearm; Garren Baptiste has been charged with manslaughter and forcible confinement.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local taxi community, with some drivers quitting their jobs out of fear.
Gurkirat Singh Manocha – Fort St. John, British Columbia (March 13, 2026)
On the same day, March 13, 2026, Gurkirat Singh Manocha, a student at Northern Lights College in Fort St. John, British Columbia, was killed in what his family describes as a brutal attack.
The incident occurred near the Charlie Lake boat ramp shortly after 11:00 p.m. PT.
Manocha, originally from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh, India, had moved to Canada approximately 15 months earlier to pursue a Business Management Post-Degree Diploma.
He was working part-time at a local Walmart to support his education.
According to family accounts and reports, Manocha was picked up by fellow students after finishing his shift.
A dispute reportedly escalated into a violent confrontation involving approximately 10 to 12 individuals.
Family members allege that Manocha was beaten and subsequently run over by a vehicle, resulting in fatal injuries.
“We sent our son to study in Canada and tragically lost his life after a violent attack during a dispute at his college,” said his father, Gurjeet Singh Manocha.
The BC RCMP North District Major Crime Unit is investigating, and officials have stated the case “involves numerous individuals.”
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has expressed sympathy to the family and reached out to support them during this tragedy.
Summary: March 2026 Victims
| Victim | Age | Location & Date | Circumstances |
| Devinder Singh | 30 | North Battleford, SK (Mar 13) | Taxi driver shot while waiting for passenger; 2 charged (1st-degree murder, manslaughter) |
| Gurkirat Singh Manocha | 23-25 | Fort St. John, BC (Mar 13) | Student beaten by group of 10-12 youths, allegedly run over; RCMP Major Crimes investigating |
| Birinder Singh | 22 | Highway 2, AB (Mar 14) | Drive-by shooting from pickup truck; friends suspect hate crime; no arrests |
2025, A Year of Tragedy
The March 2026 killings follow a devastating 2025 that saw multiple immigrants lose their lives across Canada.
December 2025: Three Deaths in 12 Days
Shivank Avasthi, 20, Toronto, Ontario (December 23, 2025): A doctoral student pursuing his PhD was shot dead near the University of Toronto Scarborough campus.
His death marked Toronto’s 41st homicide of 2025. The shooter fled the scene, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Himanshi Khurana, 30, Toronto, Ontario (December 20, 2025): Found murdered in her residence. A warrant was issued for Abdul Ghafoori on charges of first-degree murder.
Gurdeep Singh, 27 & Ranveer Singh, 18 — Edmonton, Alberta (December 12, 2025): Two young men from Punjab were shot dead in what police described as a targeted attack. They were heading to a birthday celebration when they were killed.
Earlier in 2025
Harsimrat Randhawa, 21 — Hamilton, Ontario (April 17, 2025): A Mohawk College student was killed by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop—an innocent bystander caught in violence that had nothing to do with her.
Jerdaine Foster was arrested in August 2025 and charged with first-degree murder. Two other individuals have also been charged in connection with the shooting.
Vanshika — Ottawa, Ontario (April 2025): An Indian student was found dead after being missing for four days. The cause of death remains under investigation.
Similar Incidents In 2024
Similar violence targeting immigrants was also reported in late 2024.
Harshandeep Singh, 20 — Edmonton, Alberta (December 6, 2024): A NorQuest College student working as a security guard was killed just three days into his new job.
Singh was pushed down a stairwell and shot in the back. Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux have been charged with first-degree murder.
Gurasis Singh, 22 — Sarnia, Ontario (December 1, 2024): A Lambton College student was stabbed to death, allegedly by his own housemate. The housemate has been charged with second-degree murder.
Historical Context On The Pattern of Violence
The current crisis has roots that extend back years, with unprovoked attacks on immigrants becoming increasingly common.
Kartik Vasudev, 21 — Toronto, Ontario (April 7, 2022): A Seneca College student from Ghaziabad, India, was shot multiple times in an unprovoked attack outside Sherbourne TTC station.
Vasudev had arrived in Canada just three months earlier. Richard Jonathan Edwin was charged with first-degree murder; he was also charged with killing another man in a separate random attack.
A Statistical Overview Of The Estimated Numbers
| Statistic | Data |
| Indian students killed in Canada (2018-2025) | 17 (highest of any country) |
| Indian student deaths abroad (5 years) | 633 total; 172 in Canada |
| Increase in anti-South Asian hate crimes (2019-2023) | 227% (140 to 458 incidents) |
| Surge in hate posts targeting South Asians on X (2023-2024) | 1,350% |
| Police-reported hate crimes increase (2020-2024) | Nearly doubled |
| Canadians believing immigration worsens crime (2024) | 53% (Abacus Data survey) |
Province-by-Province Analysis
Ontario: Canada’s most populous province has seen multiple immigrant deaths, including Kartik Vasudev (2022), Gurasis Singh (2024), Shivank Avasthi (2025), Himanshi Khurana (2025), and Harsimrat Randhawa (2025). Toronto, in particular, has emerged as a hotspot for violence against newcomers.
Alberta: Edmonton and surrounding areas have witnessed devastating losses, including Harshandeep Singh (2024), Gurdeep Singh and Ranveer Singh (2025), and now Birinder Singh (2026). The province’s growing immigrant population faces escalating safety concerns.
British Columbia: From Rittika Rajput’s death in Kelowna (2024) to Gurkirat Singh Manocha’s killing in Fort St. John (2026), BC has seen violence spread beyond its major urban centres into smaller communities where international students increasingly study.
Saskatchewan: The killing of Devinder Singh in North Battleford (2026) highlights that violence against immigrants is not limited to large cities. Even smaller communities are seeing tragic incidents that leave newcomers fearful for their safety.
Urgent Call to Action
Immigration News Canada calls upon the following authorities to take immediate and decisive action:
Federal Government: We urge the Prime Minister and relevant ministers to declare immigrant safety a national priority, increase funding for hate crime prevention programs, enhance support services for immigrant communities, and work with international partners to ensure students and workers coming to Canada are protected.
Provincial Governments: Premiers of Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and all provinces must allocate resources for community safety initiatives, mandate cultural competency training for law enforcement, and establish dedicated units to investigate crimes against immigrants.
Municipal Governments: Mayors and city councils must work with immigrant communities to identify safety concerns, improve lighting and security in areas where newcomers live and work, and support community-based safety programs.
RCMP and Local Police: Law enforcement agencies must prioritize the investigation of crimes against immigrants, treat potential hate crimes with the seriousness they deserve, build trust with immigrant communities through engagement and outreach, and ensure sufficient resources are dedicated to solving these cases.
Canada has long prided itself on being a welcoming nation for immigrants from around the world.
Hundreds of thousands of students, workers, and families have chosen Canada as their destination, trusting in its promise of safety and opportunity.
That promise is now being tested. Three deaths in 48 hours across three provinces is not a coincidence; it is a crisis.
The names of Devinder Singh, Gurkirat Singh Manocha, and Birinder Singh must not be forgotten.
They join a growing list of immigrants who came to Canada seeking a better life, only to have their futures violently taken from them.
Every life matters. Every immigrant deserves protection. The time for action is now.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What resources are available for immigrants who feel unsafe in Canada?
Immigrants who feel unsafe can contact local police non-emergency lines to report concerns, reach out to settlement agencies for support, connect with community organizations specific to their cultural background, and access victim services through provincial programs. The Canadian government also offers the Victims of Crime helpline, and immigrants can contact their home country’s consulate or embassy for additional assistance.
2. How can immigrant families seek justice after a loved one is killed in Canada?
Families should immediately contact local police to ensure an investigation is opened. They can request a victim services liaison to help navigate the legal system, seek legal representation (some immigration lawyers work on contingency or offer pro bono services), contact their home country’s consulate for diplomatic support, and file complaints with police oversight bodies if they feel the investigation is inadequate.
3. Which areas or cities should immigrants research for safety before moving to Canada?
Prospective immigrants should research crime statistics published by local police services, look for established immigrant communities in their destination city, read reviews and connect with current residents through social media groups, check if the area has settlement services and immigrant support organizations, and consider proximity to emergency services and hospitals. Statistics Canada publishes crime severity indexes for different communities.
4. What is the Canadian government currently doing to combat hate crimes?
Canada launched the Action Plan on Combatting Hate in 2024, which includes enhanced funding for community organizations, improved hate crime data collection, and support for victims. The government has also invested in law enforcement training and online hate monitoring. However, critics argue these measures have been insufficient given the continued rise in incidents.
5. How can Canadian citizens and residents help protect immigrant communities?
Canadians can become active bystanders by intervening safely when witnessing discrimination or harassment, report suspicious activities to police, volunteer with settlement agencies and immigrant support organizations, advocate for stronger hate crime legislation by contacting elected representatives, support immigrant-owned businesses, and challenge anti-immigrant rhetoric when encountered in personal conversations or on social media.
✓ Fact-Checked: All incidents verified through RCMP reports, official police statements, and confirmed media sources.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information from official police statements, verified media reports, and government sources. Details of ongoing investigations may change as new information emerges. Immigration News Canada is committed to accurate, responsible reporting on issues affecting immigrant communities.
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