Latest news with #GaryAnandasangaree
Winnipeg Free Press
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Border bill would allow cabinet to suspend immigration documents in an 'emergency'
OTTAWA – An NDP critic calls a provision in the federal government's border security bill that would give cabinet the power to cancel immigration documents an attempt to mimic measures deployed by the Trump administration in the U.S. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree says that the immigration minister would only be able to exercise the power to cancel, suspend or alter immigration documents in an 'emergency' and after being granted the authority through an order-in-council. Anandasangaree says these powers could be used in response to a pandemic or a cybersecurity threat. NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan says the measure in the bill, currently being debated in the House of Commons, is dangerous because cabinet decisions are made in secret and there's no firm definition of an 'emergency' in the legislation. U.S. President Donald Trump has sought to detain or deport university students who have condemned the war in Gaza. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Bill C-2 also proposes giving the immigration minister the power to pause the acceptance of new immigration applications and cancel or pause processing of the current inventory of applications in the event of an emergency. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2025.
Globe and Mail
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Ten arrested in connection with shooting at Toronto's Piper Arms pub
Toronto police have announced 10 arrests in what they say were an interconnected spate of shootings in recent months. The alleged incidents include one in March at the Piper Arms pub in Scarborough, where a trio of masked men armed with an assault rifle and handguns unleashed a torrent of bullets that injured a dozen people in a stunning display of violence caught on video. All the shootings involved hired gunmen in stolen cars, who also fired at people in tow truck yards, a gas station and a commercial plaza, Toronto police said at a press conference Wednesday. Police alleged that some of the shootings are connected to tow-truck turf wars, though they have not linked the Piper Arms shooting to that industry. Chief Myron Demkiw, speaking to reporters at police headquarters, said they released the video on Wednesday of that March shooting to illustrate the extent of the gun problem the city is facing. He said gun crime 'needs to stop,' calling on the federal government to step in to help curb the violence. 'I have been in contact with the federal Minister of Public Safety, and I look forward to further discussions with him concerning public safety in Toronto,' Chief Demkiw said. The newly appointed minister, Gary Anandasangaree, said in an interview Wednesday that he met Chief Demkiw for breakfast last weekend to discuss what his new government can do to help. Mr. Anandasangaree pointed to sweeping legislation unveiled Tuesday as 'the immediate response,' saying the Strong Borders Act is 'meant to curtail flow of fentanyl, drugs, guns and so on, including investments at the border.' The Toronto MP, who represents a Scarborough riding close to where the pub shooting took place, said plans are underway to put hundreds of new federal agents at the border. Crime statistics from Toronto police show that 2024 was a near-record year for shootings in the city. Police say that 80 to 90 per cent of the crime guns seized in Toronto are now U.S.-sourced, up from roughly 50 per cent a decade ago. Detectives say they have laid 203 charges, including 24 counts of attempted murder while recovering four firearms in connection with a series of shootings this spring. The 10 arrested suspects are all tied to interconnected shootings, police say, but did not explain how they are related. Three of the suspects are male youths, including two 17-year-olds and one 15-year-old; the others arrested are between the ages of 19 and 22. The first shooting occurred on March 1, where police allege two suspects in a stolen vehicle drove to a commercial plaza and shot a man. On March 4, these same suspects allegedly drove to a gas station and opened fire on a man washing his car. Then, on March 6, three suspects arrived at a tow-truck yard in a stolen vehicle, police say. One gunman fired at victim, who was injured. The same three suspects then drove to a nearby tow yard and allegedly shot at a second victim who sustained non-threatening injuries. The next day, on March 7, police allege three gunmen arrived at the Piper Arms in a stolen vehicle, spraying bullets around the restaurant. The incident injured 12, most of whom were hit by bullets, but some were hit by flying glass. Four days later, on March 11, in Mississauga, four males in a stolen car attempted to rob a bank but were unsuccessful, police say. Toronto police later stopped the vehicle after a foot chase arrested two gunmen and found a loaded handgun. Finally, on May 26, police say they arrested two men in a stolen vehicle at Jane and Finch and found a loaded firearm. Police Superintendent Paul MacIntyre of the city's organized crime enforcement unit said the alleged perpetrators are 'a bunch of guys that are not a gang,' describing them as hired gunmen. 'They're just friends, if you will. They're associates,' he said. 'There's no kind of organization to them." On Wednesday, Chief Demkiw also fielded questions about an unrelated shooting in Lawrence Heights this week, where a 31-year-old man in a wheelchair was a killed and five others injured in what police said was a targeted attack. The suspects in this case remain at large.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
What's in Canada's Immigration Bill, Why It's Causing Worry
The Bridge to Canada sign is pictured on May 9. 2025. Credit - Jim West—Getty Images Canada's new bill—The Strong Borders Act—proposes a sweeping shift in immigration that, among other items, expands the Canadian Coast Guard's authority to conduct security patrols, restricts asylum access, and attempts to deal with the flow of fentanyl into the country. 'The Bill will strengthen our laws and keep Canadians safe by ensuring law enforcement has the right tools to keep our borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of illegal fentanyl, and crack down on money laundering,' the bill states. Introduced on June 3 by Canada's Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, the 127-page measure proposes a shift in how the government interacts with the U.S.-Canada border. The bill comes after President Donald Trump voiced concerns about what he referred to as cross-border fentanyl traffic and irregular migration, when he imposed tariffs on Canada during his Feb. 1 Executive Order titled 'Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border.' Trump argued that 'Canada has played a central role' in the 'challenges' against 'illicit drugs' entering the country, alleging there is 'a growing presence of Mexican cartels operating fentanyl and nitazene synthesis labs in Canada' and that Canada must 'do more to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept DTOs, other drug and human traffickers, criminals at large, and drugs.' Here's what you need to know about Canada's Strong Borders Act. Canada's new immigration bill seeks to impact various areas—from asylum rules to search and seizure, to giving police more power to control and monitor the U.S. border. The new bill would allow Canada Post's inspection authority to open mail and would also remove barriers to allow law enforcement to open mail during an investigation—attempting to curb fentanyl movement by what authorities say is performed by organized crime groups. It would expand the power of the Canadian Coast Guard to 'conduct security patrols and collect, analyze and share information and intelligence for security purposes,' by amending the Oceans Act, creating a new role for the department. It also would expand the ability for Canadian intelligence agencies to share information with U.S. intelligence. Related to organized crime, the bill proposes additional restrictions on transactions over $10,000 and cash deposits by any one individual into another's account. The process of gaining access to asylum would also change, as the bill looks to bar asylum seekers who have been in the country for over a year, retroactively applying to anyone who arrived after June 24, 2020. It would further allow the government the ability to pause the acceptance of new applications and 'cancel, suspend, or change immigration documents' immediately. The proposal has been met with strong opposition from immigration and human rights advocates in Canada, who argue it could restrict civil liberties and violate international refugee obligations. Jenny Wai Ching Kwan, a Canadian politician who serves at the member of Parliament for Vancouver East, issued a warning about the measure, stating that it should be 'alarming' to Canadians. 'Looking at [the bill], particularly with respect to the immigration provisions, it is very concerning to me that the government will now be breaching, I think, people's civil liberties, I think violating people's due process and taking away people's basic rights right now,' Kwan told reporters. 'What we're looking at is the government giving broad, sweeping authority within the government to cancel applications, to withdraw applications, to suspend applications, even those that are already in the inventory that is under process.' She also shared concerns about citizens' privacy, and the lack of apparent appeals processes in relation to the new sweeping immigration law. Canadian migrant justice group Migrant Rights Network also 'condemns' the bill, stating that it would 'drastically restrict refugee protections and allow for mass deportations and immigration exclusion.' They argue that the 'unchecked power' enabled through this bill could allow for migrant groups to have their immigration status revoked 'en masse.' 'Prime Minister [Mark] Carney campaigned on being different from Donald Trump, yet his very first bill is a shameful capitulation to racism and xenophobia, which abandons Canada's legal and moral obligations to refugees and migrants,' said Migrant Rights Network spokesperson Syed Hussan in a statement. 'With over 3,000 study and work permits already expiring daily because of [Former Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau's immigration cuts, this Bill will only worsen a humanitarian catastrophe. This bill is immoral, it is illegal, and it will be stopped.' Speaking with reporters on Friday, Canadian Council of Refugees co-executive director Gauri Sreenivasan stated that the bill mirrors U.S. immigration policy and could 'force many people who have no choice because they are under threat in their country or in the U.S. to live underground without status.' Kelly Sundberg, a former officer with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), also spoke out against the bill, admitting they're 'not optimistic' about it. 'I think all [the bill] does is try to appease the Trump Administration. But I'd like to see legislation that's designed to keep Canadians safe,' Sundberg said during an interview with CTV News. 'So does this legislation improve our border security, improve our immigration integrity, and improve the public safety of Canadians? No, it does not. It doesn't even come close.' Contact us at letters@
Time Magazine
a day ago
- Business
- Time Magazine
What's in Canada's Immigration Bill—and Why It's Facing Backlash
Canada's new bill— The Strong Borders Act —proposes a sweeping shift in immigration that, among other items, expands the Canadian Coast Guard's authority to conduct security patrols, restricts asylum access, and attempts to deal with the flow of fentanyl into the country. 'The Bill will strengthen our laws and keep Canadians safe by ensuring law enforcement has the right tools to keep our borders secure, combat transnational organized crime, stop the flow of illegal fentanyl, and crack down on money laundering,' the bill states. Introduced on June 3 by Canada's Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, the 127-page measure proposes a shift in how the government interacts with the U.S.-Canada border. The bill comes after President Donald Trump voiced concerns about what he referred to as cross-border fentanyl traffic and irregular migration, when he imposed tariffs on Canada during his Feb. 1 Executive Order titled 'Imposing Duties to Address the Flow of Illicit Drugs Across Our Northern Border.' Trump argued that 'Canada has played a central role' in the 'challenges' against 'illicit drugs' entering the country, alleging there is 'a growing presence of Mexican cartels operating fentanyl and nitazene synthesis labs in Canada' and that Canada must 'do more to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept DTOs, other drug and human traffickers, criminals at large, and drugs.' Here's what you need to know about Canada's Strong Borders Act. What is in Canada's immigration bill? Canada's new immigration bill seeks to impact various areas—from asylum rules to search and seizure, to giving police more power to control and monitor the U.S. border. The new bill would allow Canada Post's inspection authority to open mail and would also remove barriers to allow law enforcement to open mail during an investigation—attempting to curb fentanyl movement by what authorities say is performed by organized crime groups. It would expand the power of the Canadian Coast Guard to 'conduct security patrols and collect, analyze and share information and intelligence for security purposes,' by amending the Oceans Act, creating a new role for the department. It also would expand the ability for Canadian intelligence agencies to share information with U.S. intelligence. Related to organized crime, the bill proposes additional restrictions on transactions over $10,000 and cash deposits by any one individual into another's account. The process of gaining access to asylum would also change, as the bill looks to bar asylum seekers who have been in the country for over a year, retroactively applying to anyone who arrived after June 24, 2020. It would further allow the government the ability to pause the acceptance of new applications and 'cancel, suspend, or change immigration documents' immediately. Why is the bill facing backlash? The proposal has been met with strong opposition from immigration and human rights advocates in Canada, who argue it could restrict civil liberties and violate international refugee obligations. Jenny Wai Ching Kwan, a Canadian politician who serves at the member of Parliament for Vancouver East, issued a warning about the measure, stating that it should be 'alarming' to Canadians. 'Looking at [the bill], particularly with respect to the immigration provisions, it is very concerning to me that the government will now be breaching, I think, people's civil liberties, I think violating people's due process and taking away people's basic rights right now,' Kwan told reporters. 'What we're looking at is the government giving broad, sweeping authority within the government to cancel applications, to withdraw applications, to suspend applications, even those that are already in the inventory that is under process.' She also shared concerns about citizens' privacy, and the lack of apparent appeals processes in relation to the new sweeping immigration law. Canadian migrant justice group Migrant Rights Network also 'condemns' the bill, stating that it would 'drastically restrict refugee protections and allow for mass deportations and immigration exclusion.' They argue that the 'unchecked power' enabled through this bill could allow for migrant groups to have their immigration status revoked 'en masse.' 'Prime Minister [Mark] Carney campaigned on being different from Donald Trump, yet his very first bill is a shameful capitulation to racism and xenophobia, which abandons Canada's legal and moral obligations to refugees and migrants,' said Migrant Rights Network spokesperson Syed Hussan in a statement. 'With over 3,000 study and work permits already expiring daily because of [Former Prime Minister Justin] Trudeau's immigration cuts, this Bill will only worsen a humanitarian catastrophe. This bill is immoral, it is illegal, and it will be stopped.' Speaking with reporters on Friday, Canadian Council of Refugees co-executive director Gauri Sreenivasan stated that the bill mirrors U.S. immigration policy and could 'force many people who have no choice because they are under threat in their country or in the U.S. to live underground without status.' Kelly Sundberg, a former officer with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), also spoke out against the bill, admitting they're 'not optimistic' about it. 'I think all [the bill] does is try to appease the Trump Administration. But I'd like to see legislation that's designed to keep Canadians safe,' Sundberg said during an interview with CTV News. 'So does this legislation improve our border security, improve our immigration integrity, and improve the public safety of Canadians? No, it does not. It doesn't even come close.'
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Liberals introduce sweeping border reform bill affecting warrants, large cash transfers
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree announces the introduction of a new bill that looks to tighten security at the U.S. border. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has unveiled new legislation that promises to strengthen Canada's borders against organized crime. Department officials providing information on a not-for-attribution basis say Bill C-2, or the Strong Borders Act, has three main themes: fighting organized crime and fentanyl; securing the border; and offering more tools to fight financial crime. The legislation, which is not yet law, also proposes changes to what law enforcement can do without a warrant. The background document says it would 'clarify the ability of law enforcement to exercise specific powers and seize specific information without a warrant in urgent, time-sensitive circumstances.' An example given is the 'live abuse' of a child. With regards to searches, it would also amend the Canada Post Corporation Act to remove barriers preventing police from searching the mail, where authorized to do so, to advance a criminal investigation. The bill also allows Canada Post's inspection authority to open mail. To combat money laundering and financing terror, there are new restrictions imposed on cash transactions over $10,000 and cash deposits by one person into someone else's account. Department officials say those changes won't impact law-abiding Canadians who use electronic payment platforms, credit cards or cheques, since it won't apply to 'deposit-taking institutions,' such as banks. The sweeping legislation requires changes across a number of departments, including Public Safety and the Canada Border Services Agency. Changes at the border The bill proposes new rules allowing border officers to enter and examine premises under the control of transporters and warehouse operators. It would also allow the Canadian Coast Guard to conduct 'security patrols' and to 'analyse and disseminate information and intelligence for security purposes.' Those changes would work in tandem with existing changes to border enforcement, including round-the-clock helicopter, drone and watchtower surveillance of the border. The government previously pledged $1.3 billion to update its border enforcement regime. The bill also introduces reforms to Canada's immigration processes. A news release says the bill will 'strengthen authorities to cancel, suspend or change immigration documents, and to cancel, suspend or stop accepting new applications.' Asylum claims made by people more than one year after first arriving in Canada after June 24, 2020 would not be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board, which is responsible for making decisions on refugee claims. People who enter Canada from the United States on foot between ports of entry would have just 14 days to file an asylum claim. People who are affected by those ineligibility rules can apply for a 'pre-removal risk assessment' to make sure they're not sent back to a country where they could face harm. Canada politics news: Liberals unveil border security bill Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree speaks in the Foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld (Adrian Wyld) Other measures were proposed to make the asylum system 'more efficient.' In an effort to 'speed up' voluntary departures, removal orders would be made effective the same day a claim is withdrawn. 'Vulnerable claimants,' such as minors and those who may not understand the process, would be assigned support representatives. Inactive asylum cases would be removed from the system. A gift to the U.S.? Border security has been a sticking point between Canada and the United States for months. U.S. President Donald Trump said he was trying to spur Canada to do more against drug trafficking when he imposed tariffs against this country. 'Canadians and Americans have a shared interest when it comes to our border,' Anandasangaree said during a news conference on Tuesday. He said he would share elements of the bill with Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, during a meeting later today. The White House declared a national emergency soon after Trump's inauguration, claiming in part that Canada failed 'to do more to arrest, seize, detain, or otherwise intercept (drug trafficking organizations), other drug and human traffickers, criminals at large, and drugs.' He later imposed 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods and a 10 per cent levy on potash and energy products, citing border security as the reason behind them. The fees only apply to goods that fall outside of the two countries' free trade agreement. A federal court struck those tariffs down last week, arguing they don't appropriately respond to the threat. The Trump administration quickly appealed the ruling, and a judge later reinstated the fees. The White House has pledged to bring its case to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.
