Latest news with #PublicSafety
Cision Canada
an hour ago
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Statement - Statement from the Minister of Public Safety on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons Français
OTTAWA, ON, /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, issued the following statement: "Today, on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, Canada stands with countries across the globe in taking action against one of the most appalling and rapidly evolving forms of organized crime: human trafficking. The 2025 theme, " Human trafficking is an organized crime," highlights the critical role of law enforcement and the criminal justice system in dismantling trafficking networks, while prioritizing a victim-centred approach. This year's theme comes at a time when the role of organized criminal networks in human trafficking and other forms of illegal smuggling is top of mind for our government. We know that human trafficking is often deeply intertwined with organized criminal networks that exploit people not just for profit, but as tools to carry out a range of criminal activities. Through our $1.3-billion Border Plan and the strengthened provisions proposed in our Strong Borders Act, we're taking concrete action to target the broader criminal infrastructure that enables and profits from this exploitation. The Government has committed to making bail harder to get for repeat offenders charged with serious crimes, including human trafficking. At the same time, we're also renewing the National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking, informed by extensive engagement with Survivors, Indigenous Peoples, law enforcement, front-line service providers, and civil society. I invite you to read our National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking 2023-2025 Report to learn more. To guide this work, Jennifer Richardson has been appointed as Chief Advisor to Combat Human Trafficking, offering strategic advice and raising awareness both at home and abroad. I encourage you to read her statement, which outlines her vision for strengthening Canada's response. Through our national public education campaign, we continue to educate Canadians on the signs of human trafficking and how to safely report suspected cases. To every Survivor, your voice matters. On this day of awareness, we hear you, we stand with you, and we remain committed to building a safer society where everyone can live free from exploitation." Stay connected
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Wife of terror group 'member' backed by Anandasangaree not his constituent: documents
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said he was helping a constituent when he lobbied federal officials to let Senthuran Selvakumaran, who Canadian officials determined to be a member of the Tamil Tigers terror group, resettle in Canada. But as Mercedes Stephenson reports, court records suggest the woman Anandasangaree claims he helped is not actually his consistuent.
Global News
a day ago
- Politics
- Global News
Wife of terror group ‘member' backed by public safety minister does not live in his riding: documents
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree's claim that he was helping a constituent when he lobbied federal officials to let a terrorist group 'member' resettle in Canada is contradicted by documents on the case, a Global News investigation has found. In defending letters he wrote before he joined cabinet that urged border security officials to approve the immigration application of a suspected member of the Tamil Tigers, Anandasangaree has said he assisted the man's Canadian wife as an MP. 'That a constituent, a Canadian citizen, with a Canadian child, would want to reunite her family in Canada is not unusual,' Anandasangaree said in a July 14 statement explaining the letters he penned in 2016 and 2023. 'MPs from all parties provide letters of support for constituents as a routine matter,' he said. Last week, he added that he was only 'executing my duties as a Member of Parliament, one that I believe constituents expect me to do.' Story continues below advertisement But court records and interviews indicate the woman is not Anandasangaree's constituent. Rather, she is a longtime resident of Markham, Ont. — which is outside his Scarborough-Guildwood-Rouge Park riding. Her immigration records, tax returns and commercial receipts each list a Markham home address, and two additional letters of support she gave immigration officers were from a city councillor and MPP — both in Markham. Reached by phone, she declined to answer questions and referred a reporter to her lawyer, who confirmed the woman had resided in Markham since at least 2016 and could not recall ever living in Anandasangaree's riding. The revelations have raised new questions for Anandasangaree, who became Minister of Public Safety in May, and promptly recused himself from making national security decisions related to the Tamil Tigers. When Global News first reported on Anandasangaree's support letters, Prime Minister Mark Carney said his appointee to oversee Canada's national security agencies had been 'transparent about the details of that situation and he has my confidence.' The Prime Minister's Office declined to comment on the evidence suggesting the man's wife was not actually Anandasangaree's constituent. The minister's office released a statement on Monday that portrayed his earlier statement as lacking clarity. 'It is not uncommon for MPs to assist Canadian citizens that are out of their riding, especially if the local MP is unable to assist due to their role in cabinet, as was the case in this situation,' the statement said. Story continues below advertisement 'It is also important to note that this particular applicant's family was introduced by a known constituent of Scarborough-Rouge Park. This should have been made clearer in the minister's statement of July 14, 2025.' 3:13 Letters reveal public safety minister's support of suspected terror group 'member' Support letters for terror group 'member' Earlier this month, Global News reported that before joining cabinet, Anandasangaree wrote two letters asking the Canada Border Services Agency to grant permanent residence to Senthuran Selvakumaran. Story continues below advertisement The Sri Lanka man married a Toronto-area woman in the United Kingdom in 2005 after British immigration officials rejected his asylum claim. She then applied to bring her husband to Canada, but border officials have repeatedly rejected him on the grounds he was a self-admitted paid member of the Tamil Tigers. 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 Also known as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, or LTTE, the group committed scores of assassinations and bombings during Sri Lanka's civil war, and raised millions in Toronto, partly through extortion, before landing on Canada's list of terrorist organizations in 2006. 'In truth, I have helped the LTTE not only because I wanted to help them, I also got payment for it,' Selvakumaran wrote in an asylum claim. After telling immigration officers in Britain, and then Canada, that he had worked for the Tigers for seven years, Selvakumaran changed his story and insisted he had lied about his involvement because of bad legal advice. But the CBSA still had doubts and rejected him. Writing on his House of Commons letterhead, Anandasangaree then asked the CBSA to reverse that decision, adding that 'as a Member of Parliament' he had met and counselled Selvakumaran's wife Nilushie Senthuran. 'Providing guidance, advocacy, or support letters in support of Canadians is a standard responsibility of Members of Parliament across all parties. It is part of an MP's duty to assist, in accordance with federal rules, Canadian citizens seeking to reunite with their families,' the minister's latest statement said. Story continues below advertisement Anandasangaree's last letter to immigration officials on the matter was dated July 18, 2023. He was Parliamentary Secretary of Justice at the time and joined cabinet on July 26, 2023. The Office of the Ethics Commissioner said parliamentary secretaries were permitted to work as MPs 'for their constituents,' but declined to comment further. 'At this time, we're choosing not to make further statements.' Last year, the CBSA president recommended that, regardless of Anandasangaree's request, Selvakumaran should not get permanent residence because he was a terrorist group member. Selvakumaran appealed that decision to the court and used Anandasangaree's endorsement as evidence against the government. In a court document, Selvakumaran's lawyer, Lorne Waldman, described Anandasangaree as the wife's MP — a claim that was repeated in the judge's ruling on the case. But the lawyer acknowledged last week that was a mistake. 'While it is correct that we, as Mrs. Senthuran's legal counsel, mistakenly stated that Mrs. Senthuran was a constituent of MP Anandasangaree, that was an error on our part,' Waldman said. He noted that neither of Anandasangaree's letters said she was a constituent. 'A referral between MP Anandasangaree and Mrs. Senthuran was made through a constituent,' Waldman said. 'After MP Anandasangaree and his staff met with Mrs. Senthuran and reviewed her extensive documentation, he agreed to support her husband's application.' Story continues below advertisement He said it was a regular practice for Members of Parliament to write letters of support, and there was 'nothing improper or irregular' about Anandasangaree writing such a letter after meeting her. But in his response to questions from Global News asking why he wrote letters asking the CBSA to give permanent residence to a foreign national who had been deemed a terrorist group member, Anandasangaree called her a 'constituent.' 2:10 Cabinet minister under scrutiny over letters supporting terror group 'member' The Markham councillor and the MPP None of residential addresses in the wife's applications to sponsor her husband to immigrate are not part of Anandasagaree's Toronto riding, according to the Elections Canada website. Story continues below advertisement 'Nilushie has been a resident of Markham since the time she came to Canada in September 2002,' Juanita Nathan, then a Markham city councillor, wrote in a July 10, 2023 letter supporting Selvakumaran's bid to immigrate. Now the Liberal MP for the Pickering-Brooklin riding east of Toronto, Nathan told Global News her letter was incorrect and the woman had only actually lived in Markham since 2007. She wrote the letter as part of her previous municipal duties, 'which is a common practice among elected officials when assisting residents navigating immigration processes,' she added. 'The letter was based on humanitarian grounds and was not an endorsement of any individual's past affiliations. My commitment has always been to support families in our community within the bounds of Canadian law and procedures.' The Ontario provincial Conservative MPP for Markham-Thornhill, Logan Kanapathi, also wrote a support letter dated July 10, 2023. It identified the woman's address in Markham. The home has been owned by her sister since 2007, according to property records. Kanapathi did not respond to emails requesting comment. 2:12 Carney says he still has confidence in public safety minister Court sides with CBSA The letters Anandasangaree wrote when he was a backbencher and parliamentary secretary in Justin Trudeau's government resurfaced in court two months after Carney named him public safety minister on May 13. Story continues below advertisement The appointment has put the former lawyer and Canadian Tamil Congress activist in charge of Canada's counter-terrorism and border security institutions, including the RCMP and CBSA. In the public safety portfolio, he has been tasked with seeing through legislation to strengthen Canada's borders and appease U.S. President Donald Trump amid a chaotic White House trade war. Last month, Anandasangaree recused himself from decisions related to the Tamil Tigers and its Canadian front, the World Tamil Movement, which are both listed terrorist groups. He also said that when he joined the federal cabinet, he instructed his staff to no longer provide letters of support, and as a minister he would not make decisions 'on any matter wherein I advocated for a constituent.'
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Public Safety Minister in potential conflict of interest over planned ‘bubble zone' protests bill
The Public Safety Minister will likely have to recuse himself from engaging on another government bill being planned to protect the public because of a potential conflict of interest with a prominent civil liberties group where his wife is a director. The government is planning a bill restricting protests near places of worship, schools and community centres and making it a criminal offence to willfully intimidate or threaten people going in and out of these venues. But human rights advocates, including the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, have raised concerns about restrictions on peaceful protest near community spaces, saying non-violent protest, even if it is disruptive, is part of a vibrant democracy. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has asked the federal ethics watchdog to establish a conflict-of-interest 'screen' for interactions with the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. His wife, Harini Sivalingam, is director of equality at the CCLA. He has already agreed to recuse himself from any interactions with the CCLA over the strong borders bill, which Mr. Anandasangaree is shepherding through Parliament and the civil liberties group has criticized. The Public Safety Minister, who was born in Sri Lanka and is a Tamil Canadian, has also recently put up an ethics screen around national-security issues related to the Tamil community, including any discussions or decisions relating to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam – also known as the Tamil Tigers – which are outlawed as a terrorist group in Canada. David Taylor, spokesman for Mr. Anandasangaree, said the justice department, led by Justice Minister Sean Fraser, would take the lead on any forthcoming bill on restricting protests close to certain venues, also known as bubble zones. He confirmed Mr. Anandasangaree has 'a screen related to his wife and her work. That is through the Ethics Commissioner.' Conflict-of-interest screens are compliance measures agreed upon by public office holders, including MPs, and the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, to help avoid conflicts of interest. The MP agrees to abstain from certain discussions, decisions, debate or votes to avoid a conflict of interest. '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,' the Ethics Commissioner's website says. Although Mr. Fraser would take the lead on the forthcoming bubble zone bill, it would be unusual for the Public Safety Minister not to weigh in on public-safety issues, including concerns raised by the CCLA. The civil liberties body has been vocal on bubble zones and has pointed out that existing laws enable the police to deal with violence or threats to public safety. The bill is likely to address issues such as intimidation or attacks carried out on members of the public during protests, and glorification of terrorist groups. Jewish groups have been calling for federal 'bubble zone' laws for some time, saying intimidation by protesters of people at schools, synagogues and community centres are a threat to public safety. They also want it to be made a criminal offence to glorify terrorist groups, such as Hezbollah, at protests. Noah Shack, CEO for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said 'safe-access zones are a critical step toward public safety' and 'no one should be attacked or harassed for simply walking into their place of worship, school or community centre.' 'More must be done to protect Canadians and confront the sources of hate, including criminalizing the glorification of terrorism and boosting security for Jewish institutions,' he added. In Britain, it is a criminal offence to wear clothing or display a banner or flag in a way that suggests support for a terrorist group. Several municipalities are already introducing their own 'bubble zones' to restrict protest near places of worship, schools and child care centres. Civil liberties group challenges Vaughan's controversial 'bubble zone' bylaw restricting protests The CCLA launched a Charter challenge in the courts to a bylaw in Vaughan, Ont., setting out rules for protest activities. The civil liberties group says it severely infringes upon freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association in a manner that is not justified in a free democratic society. It says that the police already have powers to protect public safety and do not need a new bylaw. Anaïs Bussières McNicoll, director of the CCLA's fundamental freedoms program, said she understood that the federal government plans to make it a criminal offence to willfully obstruct access to any place of worship, schools, and community centres; and to willfully intimidate or threaten those attending services at these locations. 'We will need to see the actual bill before taking a more informed position,' she said. 'If the upcoming bill lowers existing legal thresholds and introduces overly broad and vague definitions that allow the police to charge protesters for participating in peaceful protests that some find offensive or disruptive, the government will be venturing into constitutionally dangerous territory.'
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Public Safety and Security Market Advance Technology, Future Scope, Growing Trends, Outlook, Global Size, Share And Forecast -2029
"Cisco (US), Honeywell (US), Motorola Solutions (US), IBM(US), Siemens(Germany), NEC(Japan), Thales(France), Hexagon(Sweden), Ericsson(Sweden), Huawei (China), Atos (France), Idemia(France), General Dynamics(US), ESRI(US), L3harris Technologies (US), Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise(France), Bae Systems(UK), Verint Systems(US)." Public Safety and Security Market by Solution (Critical Communication, C4ISR, Biometric Security, Surveillance, Emergency and Disaster Management, Cybersecurity), Application (Homeland, Critical Infrastructure, Transportation) - Global Forecast to 2029. The global public safety and security market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.0% from USD 520.8 billion in 2024 to USD 878.2 billion by 2029. Advanced safety measures like biometric security and video monitoring are being implemented by governments in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany in response to evolving security concerns in the form of terrorism and other crimes. Other technological forces, such as IoT, AI, and Big Data, are also updating public safety strategies by improving emergency response capabilities and surveillance. Download PDF Brochure@ By Offering, the services segment will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The service segment is expected to be growing at the highest CAGR in the public safety and security market during the forecast period, mainly due to managed services. This segment is expected to witness substantial growth in demand with the increasing adoption of cloud-based delivery models, such as SaaS, which allows agencies to reduce upfront costs. This, in turn, demands specialized services in supporting programs for digital transformation and laying innovative cross-domain security solutions that embed detection capacities of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics There is an increasing demand for constant monitoring, maintenance, and management of any public safety systems, as more and more agencies turn their attention and strategic priorities to their respective mission-critical applications. That double-digit growth rate of the service segment overall, and especially in managed services, highlights this major player in allowing the penetration of advanced public safety technologies. By Services, the Professional Services segment will grow at the highest market size during the forecast period. The multiple services are offered through the professionals, specialists, and experts in supporting businesses. The professional services encompass design and consulting, training and education, support and maintenance, and installation and integration. Experts utilize advanced expertise, overall approach, and experience for meeting the organization's needs for security. The vendors of services provide individual implementation, risk assessments, and deployment of public safety and security solutions by following industry proven best practices. IBM, Huawei, and Honeywell Technologies are just a few of the leading vendors in the public safety and security market offering professional services. By region, Asia Pacific will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Security spending in the Asia Pacific region is rising, with the growing intensity of various threats. For example, India, Japan, and Singapore have, each in their turn, established new national cyber-security policies against sophisticated threats. Increasing terrorist and cyberattacks have driven countries like India, China, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore towards the adoption of advanced public safety and security systems. Extensive surveillance and heightened perimeter systems are the options China can turn to in the pursuit of security in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Due to the rapid urbanization in this region, the primary technologies that will be in demand are sophisticated surveillance, crowd management, and emergency response technologies. Besides, rising crime rates and economic growth help boost law enforcement and security infrastructure spending. In addition, disasters are quite common in the APAC region, so the compulsion toward disaster preparedness solutions is increasing. The ongoing massive infrastructure projects open opportunities for further security improvements in protecting airports, ports, and critical infrastructure. Governments are investing a lot in public safety and advanced technology and training, but the challenge now is to balance it with data privacy concerns. Smart city initiatives with complex security systems and traffic management are on the evolutionary path, with a thrust on cybersecurity due to growing digital dependencies. Improved border security and revamped emergency response services raise concerns regarding mitigating security threats of varied dimensions in this region. Request Sample Pages@ Unique Features in the Public Safety and Security Market The public safety and security market is uniquely characterized by the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), facial recognition, drones, and predictive analytics. These technologies enhance situational awareness, automate threat detection, and support real-time decision-making for law enforcement and emergency response teams. A distinguishing feature of this market is its focus on safeguarding critical infrastructure such as transportation systems, energy grids, and public buildings. Specialized surveillance systems, access control, and cyber-physical security measures are tailored to prevent potential attacks or disruptions. The market relies heavily on sophisticated command and control centers that integrate inputs from various security devices and sensors. These systems offer centralized monitoring and management of public safety operations, enabling seamless coordination between police, fire departments, and emergency medical services. A critical aspect of public safety operations is robust and interoperable communication networks. The market includes solutions that ensure secure, real-time communication across agencies and jurisdictions, such as LTE and 5G-based public safety networks, satellite communications, and mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT) systems. Major Highlights of the Public Safety and Security Market The public safety and security market is experiencing strong growth due to increasing global threats such as terrorism, cyberattacks, and civil unrest. Additionally, rapid urbanization has amplified the need for intelligent safety systems to manage larger populations and complex urban infrastructure. Governments worldwide are heavily investing in public safety infrastructure as part of smart city projects. This includes funding for surveillance networks, intelligent traffic control, emergency communication systems, and integrated command centers, boosting market demand significantly. A major highlight is the expanding use of AI, machine learning, and big data analytics for proactive threat detection, real-time monitoring, and predictive policing. These technologies are transforming traditional safety models into data-driven, responsive systems. There is a growing trend of public-private collaboration in building and operating security infrastructure. Private technology firms are increasingly working with governments to deploy and manage surveillance, cybersecurity, and emergency response solutions, expanding the market ecosystem. With increasing digitization of infrastructure, the convergence of cyber and physical security has become a focal point. Solutions that integrate cybersecurity with physical access controls and surveillance are gaining traction to address sophisticated hybrid threats. Inquire Before Buying@ Top Companies in the Public Safety and Security Market Cisco (US), Honeywell (US), Motorola Solutions (US), IBM(US), Siemens(Germany), NEC(Japan), Thales(France), Hexagon(Sweden), Ericsson(Sweden), Huawei (China), Atos (France), Idemia(France), General Dynamics(US), ESRI(US), L3harris Technologies (US), Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise(France), Bae Systems(UK), Verint Systems(US), SAAB AB(Sweden), Nice(Isreal), Teltronic(Spain), Secure Passage(Kansas), Fotokite(Switzerland), Onsolve(US), Barrier1 Systems(US), IOTAS(India), Veoci(US), Cityshob(Israel) are some of the key players operating in the global Public Safety and Security market. IBM mainly contributes to public safety and security through the full solution portfolio that targets law enforcement and emergency management agencies. IBM uses state-of-the-art technology in fusing data, analysis, and artificial intelligence to minimize intervention times and facilitate agency coordination. Public safety solutions from IBM aid agencies in overcoming affiliated hurdles, thus helping the agencies in collecting, storing, and analyzing mission-critical data. IBM optimizes solutions for the management of incidents to optimize operations and consumable resources. The underlying key technologies laid down in the baselines of tools promote AI, machine learning, and other innovative tools, which ensures system predictive analysis and automated threat detection. IBM public safety solutions generally enable maximum operational effectiveness in the building of safer communities and improve the effectiveness of public safety. Cisco plays a pivotal role in public safety and security improvement through a wide range of solutions for law enforcement, emergency management agencies, and smart city projects. Cisco is using advanced technology in data integration, analytics, and artificial intelligence to allow for better coordination among agencies and faster response times. Cisco's public safety solutions support numerous challenges through the collection, storage, and advanced analytics of video surveillance and weather information, which supports enhanced situational awareness and decision-making, automated incident detection, real-time situational awareness, secure mobile communications, and video surveillance with access control. Cisco promotes strong cybersecurity in all its products with network, cloud, endpoint security, and advanced threat protection. Honeywell Honeywell is an American multinational conglomerate headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company operates in four primary business areas: aerospace, building automation, industrial automation, and energy and sustainability solutions. Founded in 1906, Honeywell has evolved into a Fortune 500 company, ranking 115th in 2023. As of 2023, it employs approximately 95,000 people worldwide. In 2023, Vimal Kapur was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Darius Adamczyk, who continues as Chairman. Motorola Motorola Solutions is an American technology and communications company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Established as the legal successor to Motorola, Inc. in 2011 after the spinoff of its mobile phone division, the company focuses on mission-critical communications, command center software, video security, and access control solutions. Its product portfolio includes public safety radio systems, body-worn cameras, video surveillance systems, and two-way radios for various markets. As of 2023, Motorola Solutions employs approximately 21,000 people. Siemens Siemens is a German multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in Munich. Founded in 1847, it is Europe's largest industrial manufacturing company, focusing on industrial automation, distributed energy resources, rail transport, and health technology. Siemens operates through principal divisions such as Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure, Mobility, and Financial Services. As of 2023, the company employs approximately 320,000 people worldwide and reported revenues of around €78 billion. Roland Busch serves as the Chief Executive Officer.
