Latest news with #Anandasangaree
Global News
a day ago
- Politics
- Global News
Carney defends public safety minister over ethics ‘screen'
Prime Minister Mark Carney stood by his public safety minister on Friday, saying he had made 'the right decision' to keep a distance from national security decisions in which he could appear to have a conflict of interest. After Global News reported that Gary Anandasangaree had put up an ethics 'screen' around issues related to the Tamil community, Carney praised the minister for his 'standards of integrity.' 'We have a rigorous vetting process and he's taken the right decision, in his judgment and my judgment, to make these arrangements. We will be well covered with respect to all public security decisions,' Carney said. Anandasangaree, who is leading the government's initiative to secure Canada's borders amid White House tariff pressure, announced Thursday that he had effectively recused himself from decisions regarding his community. 'In an abundance of caution, and to ensure that there is no perception of any conflict, I have asked Public Safety officials to implement a screen on any national security issues relating to the Tamil community,' the minister said. Story continues below advertisement A conflict of interest screen is a preventive compliance measure mutually agreed upon by a politician and the federal ethics commissioner. It aims to help MPs avoid conflicts of interest. The screen consists of a statement in which an elected official agrees 'to abstain from any discussions, decisions, debate or votes concerning the matter that forms the subject of the conflict of interest,' according to the commissioner's website. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The minister released the statement after Global News asked questions about his past actions and statements, some of which could put him at odds with the work of the border and national security agencies he now oversees. 0:35 New border bill has elements 'that will strengthen' Canada-U.S. relationship: Anandasangaree Dan Stanton, a former Canadian Security Intelligence Service officer, said the minister was doing his due diligence by removing himself from decisions so there is no perception of conflict. Story continues below advertisement 'So I certainly don't have a problem with it. I think he is just trying to stay ahead of any possible criticisms down the road if there is a national security issue involving Tamil Canadians.' He said the main issue for his former agency was fundraising for the Tamil Tigers, the Sri Lankan rebels that fought a long civil war against government forces until their defeat in 2009. The government responded by placing the Tigers on Canada's list of terrorist entities. The World Tamil Movement, a fundraising front in Toronto, was also outlawed and its assets were seized. 'That was the big issue for many years in the Toronto area, large sums of money going over,' Stanton said, but the conflict has ended and he did not think it was troublesome for the minister to keep away from the topic. 'I think it's just a matter of, there's probably been rumblings on this subject. And so in order to represent himself as Canada's minister of public safety, he's just detaching himself from the community.' Anandasangaree came to Canada from Sri Lanka in 1983 and was a Tamil community activist, Realtor and lawyer before becoming a Liberal MP in the Scarborough area of Toronto in 2015. His father, from whom he is estranged, was the leader of a Tamil political party in Sri Lanka, where the Tamil Tigers fought for independence from the island country. Story continues below advertisement After the war ended, Anandasangaree helped hundreds of Sri Lankan migrants who had paid human smugglers to ferry them to Canada's West Coast on board the ships MV Ocean Lady and MV Sun Sea. He and his wife have also been critical of the national security agencies the minister now oversees, particularly when it comes to their handling of issues related to Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka.
Global News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Public safety minister asks officials to ‘screen' him from conflict of interest
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has stepped back from national security decisions related to the 'Tamil community,' he has acknowledged in a statement to Global News. The announcement from the minister leading the government's initiative to secure Canada's borders amidst U.S. pressure gave little detail on what he has deemed off limits or why. But it came after Global News asked questions about his past actions and statements, some of which could put him at odds with the work of the border and national security agencies he now oversees. The statement sent by the minister's office late Thursday said Anandasangaree and his family were Tamil-Canadians, and he had been a lifelong advocate for that community. 'In an abundance of caution, and to ensure that there is no perception of any conflict, I have asked Public Safety officials to implement a screen on any national security issues relating to the Tamil community,' the minister said. Story continues below advertisement 'In all national security decisions, my upmost concern is the safety of Canadians. I will support law enforcement and national security agencies who do their work impartially, and effectively,' he said. A conflict of interest screen is a preventive compliance measure mutually agreed upon by a politician and the Ethics Commissioner. It aims to help MPs avoid conflicts of interest. It consists of a statement in which an elected official agrees 'to abstain from any discussions, decisions, debate or votes concerning the matter that forms the subject of the conflict of interest,' according to the Commissioner's website. 'A screen also seeks to minimize the possibility of conflicts arising between the public duties of the public office holder and their private interests or those of their relatives and friends.' But it likely means the minister will have no say in what has been a key area for the national security agencies in his portfolio. Anandasangaree came to Canada from Sri Lanka in 1983 and was a Tamil community activist, realtor and lawyer before becoming a Liberal MP in Scarborough, Ont. in 2015. His father, from whom he is estranged, was the leader of a Tamil political party in Sri Lanka, where a civil war between Tamil Tigers separatist rebels and government forces erupted in 1983. Story continues below advertisement After the war ended in 2009, Anandasangaree helped hundreds of Sri Lankan migrants who had paid human smugglers to ferry them to Canada's West Coast on board the ships MV Ocean Lady and MV Sun Sea. When the Sun Sea was heading for Canadian waters, he 'supervised the preparation of an injunction in the event Canada blocked the entry' of the ship, according to his LinkedIn page. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Associated Press reported that he said those on board would have legitimate refugee claims even if some were members of Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers rebel group. He and his wife have also been critical of Canada's national security agencies, particularly when it comes to their handling of issues related to Tamil refugees from Sri Lanka. As an MP in 2020, Anandasangaree accused the Canada Border Services Agency and RCMP of 'intimidation and constant harassment' of the Sun Sea migrants. Both agencies now report to him. 2:03 Carney, Trump in direct trade and security talks With President Donald Trump waging a trade war he has justified partly over concerns about border security, Prime Minister Mark Carney has tasked Anandasangaree with hardening Canada's frontiers. Story continues below advertisement On June 3, Anandasangaree announced new legislation to 'strengthen border and immigration security' and 'combat illegal migration,' partly through expanded maritime patrols. Asked by Global News about his credibility to secure the borders given his past work with the passengers of the human smuggling ships, he responded that he had a history of 'supporting and working' with refugees. 'So I do believe I have the credibility to talk about issues at our border, those who come to Canada by irregular means,' he said at a news conference in Ottawa on Tuesday. 'There is a moment in history right now where we have the opportunity to respond to some of the concerns that exist with Canada, but also with the United States, and those are the steps that we're taking today.' But former CBSA officer Kelly Sundberg questioned whether the minister was the right person to lead a crackdown on those who flout Canada's borders. At a time Canada needs to reassure the Trump administration it is serious about border security, Anandasangaree's past could become an issue, he said. Sundberg said he was concerned the U.S. could interpret Carney's pick of public safety minister as a sign his government isn't really serious about the border. 'It's just the wrong guy to do it,' said Sundberg, a criminology professor at Calgary's Mount Royal University. 'Read the room.' Story continues below advertisement Many activists and lawyers help those seeking refuge in Canada. Anandasangaree is now minister of the agencies responsible for screening migrants like those he once advocated for, and deporting those who are rejected. Sri Lanka also remains a recurring topic for the national security agencies charged with ensuring that those seeking to live in Canada are not security risks or members of terrorist groups. The minister is additionally responsible for Canada's list of terrorist entities, which currently includes the Tamil Tigers, also known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE. Also on the list is the World Tamil Movement, the Toronto-based front organization that raised millions for the LTTE, partly through intimidation and extortion of Canadian Tamils. But in 2000, Toronto Now quoted Anandasangaree saying that the harassment was overblown. 'The real issue is the media attack on the community,' he reportedly said. In his statement to Global News, Anandasangaree said that during his decade as an MP he had never asked agencies to remove any groups from the terrorist list. 'Canadians have confidence in their national security agencies, and as minister of public safety I will preserve and protect that confidence,' he said. 0:35 New border bill has elements 'that will strengthen' Canada-U.S. relationship: Anandasangaree According to his LinkedIn, when the human smuggling vessel MV Ocean Lady reached the B.C. coast in 2009, Anandasangaree met with 74 of the 76 migrants on board and coordinated their release from detention. Story continues below advertisement The following year, he flew to B.C. when the MV Sun Sea arrived and was the 'first lawyer permitted to individually advise most of the 492 arrivals,' his LinkedIn page indicates. He was the 'principal coordinator for a global community response to the arrival' of the refugee claimants, and intervened in cases that 'had broader social concerns.' The ships sailed from Thailand but those on board were originally from Sri Lanka, and the incident raised national security concerns for Canada due to fears that LTTE members fleeing the aftermath of the war could be on board. A handful of them were linked to the LTTE by Canadian immigration officials and the RCMP, but many were civilians and children. His LinkedIn page also says he is married to Harini Sivalingam, an activist and lawyer who has written critically about the arrival of the ships in 'white settler society,' as well as the government's decision to outlaw the LTTE and its primary fundraising front office. 'I am proud of Harini's work to defend and protect rights and freedoms for marginalized and vulnerable communities in Canada and abroad,' the minister said in a statement to Global News.
Toronto Star
4 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Federal bill includes new security powers to tighten border, immigration system
OTTAWA - Proposed federal legislation would give authorities new powers to search mail, make it easier for officials to pause or cancel immigration applications and expand the Canadian Coast Guard's role to include security activities. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree introduced the legislation in the House of Commons on Tuesday. The government says the wide-ranging bill aims to keep borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of deadly fentanyl and crack down on money laundering. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'To be truly strong, Canada must be secure,' Anandasangaree told reporters. 'That is why I'm asking all parties to come together to support this very important legislation.' The bill is part of Ottawa's effort to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump that Canada is doing enough to stem the southbound flow of drugs and migrants. Trump used claims about cross-border fentanyl traffic and irregular migration to justify imposing tariffs on Canadian imports. 'Canada will continue to work with our U.S. partners to ensure that our border remains secure, while we continue to manage the legitimate and efficient movement of people and goods between our countries,' Anandasangaree said. 'The additional measures we're taking today to further secure Canada's border will help sustain the security and economic partnership for many years to come.' The proposed legislation would, among other things: — require owners and operators at certain ports to provide facilities for the Canada Border Services Agency to examine and detain goods bound for export; — remove barriers that prevent police from searching mail, where authorized to do so under the law, to advance a criminal investigation; ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW — expand Canada Post's inspection authority to open mail; — protect the refugee system against sudden increases in claims by introducing new ineligibility rules, and strengthen the ability to cancel, suspend or stop accepting new applications; — allow the Coast Guard to conduct security patrols and collect, analyze and circulate information and intelligence for security purposes; — enhance the ability of the RCMP to share information collected on registered sex offenders with domestic and international partners; — facilitate police access to basic information and data and amend the law governing the Canadian Security Intelligence Service to bolster the spy service's investigative tools; — ensure that electronic service providers support the police and CSIS in criminal and intelligence investigations by compelling them to fulfil legally authorized requests to access or intercept information and communications; — enable the health minister to more rapidly control precursor chemicals that can be used to produce illicit drugs; ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW — introduce new restrictions on large cash transactions and 'third party deposits.' The new bill builds on earlier Canadian border security measures, including round-the-clock surveillance of the border using helicopters, drones and surveillance towers. Ottawa is also working with Washington on a North American 'joint strike force' to target organized crime groups that work across borders. — With files from Alessia Passafiume This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2025. Politics Headlines Newsletter Get the latest news and unmatched insights in your inbox every evening Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Yes, I'd also like to receive customized content suggestions and promotional messages from the Star. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Politics Headlines Newsletter You're signed up! You'll start getting Politics Headlines in your inbox soon. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page.
Global News
5 days ago
- Health
- Global News
Canada aims to tighten asylum rules, combat fentanyl with new border bill
The federal government introduced new legislation Tuesday that aims to both strengthen and streamline the immigration process, including new limits on asylum claims, while also cracking down on cross-border fentanyl trafficking. The proposed bill addresses not only several of the border security priorities highlighted by Prime Minister Mark Carney, but also some of the longstanding complaints voiced by U.S. lawmakers, diplomats and Canadian police organizations. 'This new legislation will ensure Canada has the right tools to keep our border secure, combat transnational organized crime and fentanyl, and disrupt illicit financing,' Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree told reporters in Ottawa after tabling the legislation. The minister said he planned to brief U.S. border czar Tom Homan on the new legislation in a meeting later Tuesday, and acknowledged it addresses some issues that have been 'irritants for the U.S.' Story continues below advertisement He added it will likely play into ongoing negotiations with the Trump administration on a new security relationship that Carney has been pursuing. 'It's not exclusively about the United States,' Anandasangaree said. 'This is about delivering a win for Canada and ensuring that our borders are safer, our communities are safer, and of course we're responding to some of the concerns that have been posed by the White House.' 2:04 Canadian government 'fact check' dismisses Trump's border security claims Anandasangaree said the new bill, dubbed the Strong Borders Act, builds upon the $1.3-billion border security package announced last December that saw the appointment of a fentanyl czar and new equipment for the RCMP at the border, among other measures. No new funding is attached to the bill. What would the bill do? Under the proposed legislation, anyone who makes an asylum claim more than a year after arriving in Canada would not see their claim referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Story continues below advertisement Those entering Canada across the U.S. land border under the Safe Third Country Agreement will have just 14 days to make an asylum claim in order to be considered. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Claimants who apply beyond those deadlines will still be subject to a pre-removal risk assessment to determine if their safety will be at risk if returned to their home country, which Anandasangaree called an 'important safeguard.' The new rules address a growing issue of international students and other temporary visa holders claiming asylum after their visas expire in order to stay in Canada. Federal immigration data obtained by Global News suggests such claims will continue to rise this year. The new bill would also 'improve and modernize' the existing asylum system by simplifying the application process, speeding up both referrals and removal orders, and removing inactive cases from the system. Claims will only be decided on while a person is physically present in Canada. It also gives the government the power to suspend new applications and the processing of existing claims 'for matters of public health and national security,' and improve information sharing of immigration documents and information among different levels of government and law enforcement. One provision in the bill, to allow the RCMP to share sex offender data with law enforcement partners in the U.S. and other domestic and international partners, answers a long-standing request for cross-border cooperation on sex trafficking investigations that dates back to the Biden administration. Story continues below advertisement 23:24 The West Block: Border agents search 'less than 1%' of goods coming into Canada, CBSA union president says As for fentanyl, the government aims to make precursor chemicals used to produce the illicit opioid controlled substances, which would allow greater federal oversight of those shipments. Ports of entry, transporters and warehouse operators will be required to allow Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officials to conduct export inspections, matching existing requirements for import inspections. The bill would also give the Canadian Coast Guard expanded powers to conduct security patrols and collect and share information for security purposes. Police and Canada Post inspectors will also be able to search mail in approved cases under the proposed legislation. Former CBSA officials have long called for expanded search powers at entry points and international trade ports, noting less than one per cent of goods entering Canada are searched. Story continues below advertisement Expanded police powers The bill aims to strengthen police, border service and intelligence agency powers to access information and data, including requiring Canadian electronic service providers to comply with requests to access or intercept communications and other information. Some information could be accessed without a warrant in 'urgent, time-sensitive circumstances,' the government said in a background document that gave the example of cases involving the ongoing abuse of a child. 'If there is an active event happening … that involves the safety and security of someone, law enforcement can intervene at that point and seek and demand production of information,' Anandasangaree said. 'But in the absence of that, there is a judicial process by which they need to go and seek the warrants and the production orders required for them to continue the investigation. These are some of the very important safeguards that are being built in.' Story continues below advertisement Anandasangaree said he was confident the bill won't violate Canadians' charter rights to privacy and due process. 'In order for me to bring forward legislation, it needed to have the safeguards in place, it needed to be in line with the values of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms,' he said. 'I fundamentally believe that we have (struck) the balance while expanding powers in certain instances, it does have the safeguards and the protections in place to protect individual freedoms and rights.'
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Carney Liberals unveil new slate of measures to secure Canada's borders
'A strong border is essential to our national security,' Anandasangaree said MP Gary Anandasangaree holds a news conference at the Liberal cabinet retreat in Montebello, Que. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Photo by Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS OTTAWA — New powers to Canada's coast guard, immigration and postal officials are among a slate of new measures being introduced by the Mark Carney Liberals. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Bill C2 — the Strong Borders Act — involves continued steps by the Liberal government to shore up Canada's borders, and directly respond to demands made by U.S. President Donald Trump, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Tuesday. 'A strong border is essential to our national security,' Anandasangaree told a press conference on Parliament Hill. 'The reality is that new risks will always emerge that threaten our national and economic security.' New measures include Customs Act amendments targeting smuggling of guns, drugs and stolen autos, compelling greater access at ports to inspect goods destined for export, allowing the RCMP to share data on registered sex offenders with counterparts both domestic and abroad, and introducing new ineligibility rules for asylum seekers and improving how such claims are processed and adjudicated. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'With this new legislation, we'll ensure Canada has the right tools to keep our borders secure, combat transnational organized crime and fentanyl, and disrupt illicit financing,' Anandasangaree said. 'The bill updates existing laws to bolster our response to national and economic security threats, while enhancing the integrity and fairness of our immigration system.' The legislation, which Anandasangaree said is vital to Canada's border security, will involve implementing new policy across nine different government departments. It also includes extending legislative authorities to cancel, suspend or change immigration documents, as well as the ability to cancel or suspend new applications en masse for 'reasons determined to be in the public interest.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Canadian Coast Guard will also see new security duties, including security patrols and intelligence gathering. Measures meant to combat organized crime and fentanyl smuggling include direct control of precursor chemicals by the health minister, legislation allowing easier access to electronic communications by law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and allowing police and postal inspectors greater access to search the mail. Illicit fentanyl coming south into the U.S. from Canada was among the grievances aired early in Trump's administration, prompting Canadian officials to unleash a slew of measures meant to plug holes in the border. 'Canadians and Americans have a shared interest when it comes to our border, we want to keep threats out,' Anandasangaree said. Tuesday's announcement comes after $1.3 billion in measures announced early in 2025, including listing drug cartels as terrorist organizations, the appointment of 'fentanyl czar' Kevin Brosseau, a cross-border Joint Strike Force targeting fentanyl trafficking, organized crime and financing, and new helicopter and drone patrols of the border. bpassifiume@ X: @bryanpassifiume Other Sports Canada Other Sports Toronto & GTA Wrestling
