Latest news with #GaryAnandasangaree
Global News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Public safety minister defends letters supporting terror group ‘member' as routine
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Monday he was only doing his duty as an MP when he wrote letters supporting an alleged terrorist group member's immigration application. Responding to reporters' questions about the matter for the first time, Anandasangaree downplayed his involvement in the national security case as the routine work of a Member of Parliament. 'One of the major responsibilities of any Member of Parliament, anyone elected, is provision of services to individuals seeking help from our offices,' he told reporters at a media event in Toronto. 'So this is part and parcel of the work that every Member of Parliament does, and in this particular case, I was executing my duties as a Member of Parliament, one that I believe constituents expect me to do.' Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed Anandasangaree minister of public safety in May, putting him in charge of Canada's national security defences, including the Canada Border Services Agency. Story continues below advertisement But questions were raised last month when Anandasangaree recused himself from decisions related to the Tamil Tigers and its Canadian front group, the World Tamil Movement. Then last week, Global News reported that before joining cabinet, Anandasangaree asked CBSA officials to approve the permanent residence application of a man they had deemed a Tamil Tigers member. 2:12 Carney says he still has confidence in public safety minister The Tamil Tigers, or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, fought a lengthy failed independence war in Sri Lanka and have been on Canada's list of designated terrorist entities since 2006. 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 Although the CBSA had rejected the man as an immigrant on the grounds that he was a former member of a listed terrorist group, Anandasangaree asked officials to reverse their decision. An activist and lawyer before becoming a Toronto-area Liberal MP in 2015, Anandasangaree said his letters were 'in the context of an individual, Canadian citizen, who is seeking to reunite with her husband.' Story continues below advertisement 'In this particular case, like all cases, there is advocacy involved and part of that involves letters of support and that's exactly what was done in this case,' he told reporters on Monday. He said his riding office had handled 'over 9,500 cases' ranging from immigration applications to 'issues around Canada Revenue Agency, old age security, disability benefits and so on.' When a reporter pointed out that the case involved national security, and he is now the public safety minister, Anandasangaree said MPs were permitted to advocate for would-be immigrants. But he said doing so 'would be inappropriate' in his current role. 'I have instructed my office not to issue support letters of that nature because ultimately the decision will be coming to me as an individual.' 2:10 Cabinet minister under scrutiny over letters supporting terror group 'member' His last support letter for the person was sent just days before Anandasangaree joined cabinet in 2023. It concerned Senthuran Selvakumaran, a Sri Lankan citizen who has been trying to immigrate since 2005. Story continues below advertisement Canadian border security officials have repeatedly rejected his application because he told them he had worked for the Tamil Tigers. He also told British refugee officials he had worked for the group. After his bid to join his wife in Toronto was turned down, Selvakumaran changed his story and denied working for the terror group. He explained his initial statements as the result of bad legal advice. On July 9, the Federal Court rejected Selvakumaran's latest appeal, saying that despite the MP's letter of support, the CBSA had correctly prioritized national security and public safety. An organization founded by victims of terrorism, Secure Canada, said last week that no MPs 'should intervene on behalf of someone the CBSA has found to be a member and on the payroll of a terror group, period.' The group's CEO, Sheryl Saperia, said Anandasangaree's letters had focused on the emotional impact of the man's separation from his wife in Toronto, which she called a 'ridiculous argument.'
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- General
- Cision Canada
Rouge National Urban Park Celebrates 10 Years Français
Milestone anniversary for Canada's first national urban park MARKHAM, ON, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Rouge National Urban Park, Canada's first national urban park and one of the largest protected urban parks in the world, offers easy access to residents of Canada's largest urban centre to explore a rich assembly of forests, creeks, farms and trails as well as marshland, a beach on Lake Ontario and human history spanning 10,000 years. Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park, on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, celebrated this important milestone at an event honouring Indigenous partners, volunteers, farmers, advocates, and local stakeholders who have helped shape the vision of the park. The ceremony highlighted key achievements from the past decade, including major land assembly and legislation, the completion of the park's first management plan, the development of a multi-species action plan, the completion of 137 restoration projects with partners and collaborators, the addition of 23 km of new trails and a $21 million investment in the future visitor, learning and community centre. Since its establishment in 2015, Rouge National Urban Park has become a globally recognized model for conservation in an urban setting. Spanning over 79 square kilometres, an area 1.3 times larger than the city of Manhattan, the park protects a remarkable diversity of natural, cultural, and agricultural landscapes and continues to evolve through Indigenous leadership, community stewardship, restoration efforts, and collaboration across all levels of government. Parks Canada will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Rouge National Urban Park throughout 2025. Weekly features on the park's Facebook page will highlight key moments of its history, while on-site anniversary programming will offer visitors opportunities to reflect on the park's past, share their own stories, and contribute to a collective vision for the future of Canada's first national urban park. Quotes "Rouge National Urban Park demonstrates how strong conservation efforts and partnerships can restore ecosystems, strengthen climate resilience, and reconnect people with nature - and with each other -within their own communities. Its creation was made possible through decades of dedicated advocacy by community organizers and support from all levels of government. Today, this commitment to unity and collaboration continues to guide our government's approach to protecting what shapes our identity and makes us proud from coast to coast to coast. The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages "Rouge National Urban Park is both a cherished haven for residents and an emerging destination for visitors from across Canada and around the world. As the first of many national urban parks to come, the Rouge is setting the stage for a new era of urban tourism where conservation, recreation, and sustainability go hand in hand. With new trails, stronger community links, and a landmark visitor centre on the way, this park is not only protecting what we love about Canada, but also inviting more people than ever to discover it." The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Guildwood—Rouge Park Quick Facts Rouge National Urban Park spans over 79 square kilometres in the GTA and is one of the largest urban parks in North America. The park is home to over 2,000 species of plants and animals, working farms, Indigenous heritage sites and some of the region's most important watersheds and wetlands. The park lies at the northern edge of the Carolinian Life Zone, a type of forest ecosystem that supports a rich diversity of life. Since 2015, more than 300,000 native trees, perennials, shrubs, and aquatic plants have been planted throughout Rouge National Urban Park. To date, Parks Canada and partners have completed 137 ecological restoration and farmland best management practices projects throughout Rouge National Urban Park. SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)
Cision Canada
3 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - The Government of Canada Celebrates Rouge National Urban Park's 10th Anniversary/ Français
MARKHAM, ON, July 18, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Scarborough–Guildwood–Rouge Park, will participate in a special event marking the 10th anniversary of Rouge National Urban Park. Minister Anandasangaree will attend on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages. The event will honour the many partners, community members and organizations who have contributed to the protection and evolution of Rouge National Urban Park—Canada's first national urban park. After the program concludes, invited guests may participate in a free guided walk to showcase new trails and facilities, restoration efforts, and the park's natural, cultural, Indigenous and agricultural heritage. The details are as follows: SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)
Cision Canada
5 days ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Media Advisory - The Government of Canada Celebrates Rouge National Urban Park's 10th Anniversary Français
MARKHAM, ON, July 18, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Scarborough–Guildwood–Rouge Park, will participate in a special event marking the 10th anniversary of Rouge National Urban Park. Minister Anandasangaree will attend on behalf of the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages. The event will honour the many partners, community members and organizations who have contributed to the protection and evolution of Rouge National Urban Park—Canada's first national urban park. After the program concludes, invited guests may participate in a free guided walk to showcase new trails and facilities, restoration efforts, and the park's natural, cultural, Indigenous and agricultural heritage. The details are as follows: SOURCE Parks Canada (HQ)
National Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- National Post
Jamie Sarkonak: Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree is unfit for office
One basic prerequisite for becoming public safety minister should be a lack of perceived conflicts of interest with terror organizations. Heck, it should be a requirement for candidacy as an MP, long before cabinet enters the conversation. Article content But no such requirement formally exists, which is why we have Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, who remains in his office despite recusing himself from all files involving two Tamil terrorist groups, and who, Canadians learned Tuesday, wrote letters of support to assist a former Tamil Tiger member's immigration efforts. Article content Article content Anandasangaree, originally from Sri Lanka — home of the Tamil Tigers, or Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam — joined Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet in May and became responsible for maintaining Canada's border integrity. Article content Article content The Tigers and the World Tamil Movement are both listed on Canada's roster of terror organizations, which the public safety minister must maintain. In June, Anandasangaree recused himself from decisions about both groups, explaining to Global News that this was done 'out of an abundance of caution' and 'to ensure that there is no perception of any conflict.' Article content But the fact that he feels the need for an ethics screen is fuel enough for the perception of a conflict — and because of that, it should disqualify him from the job. The recusal alone was a problem, but then came a follow-up report Tuesday: Global News, having sniffed through a number of Federal Court files, found that before joining cabinet, Anandasangaree had actually attempted to help a former Tamil Tiger member immigrate to Canada by writing to the Canada Border Services Agency in 2023 and 2016. Article content Article content That man, Senthuran Selvakumaran, 48, has tried for more than two decades to obtain the right to live in the West. Around the year 2000, the United Kingdom rejected his asylum application due to his inconsistent reasons for being a Tamil Tiger. On some occasions, he would say he joined because he wanted to help and make money, or because of a friend; on others, he said he was forced. Article content In 2007, he began his long attempt to be legally accepted into Canada, where his story continued to shift to an unacceptable degree. Canadian authorities didn't buy his claims, rendering him inadmissible to the country for terrorist group involvement — but he's been able to gum up that process by launching various court applications to halt their efforts. Article content Assisting Selvakumaran in that time was Anandasangaree, whose 2016 and 2023 letters of support were subsequently obtained by Global News. In the latest letter, Anandasangaree accused the border agency, which he now supervises, of being 'cruel and inhumane' by separating Selvakumaran from his wife and child in Canada.
