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Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
LILLEY: Carney's public safety minister can't skip terror file
Is it wise to have a minister of Public Safety who has to recuse himself from files related to banned terrorist groups? The obvious answer is no, that's an untenable position and shouldn't be allowed to happen. Welcome to Canada in 2025, though, where Gary Anandasangaree is the minister in charge of the terrorism file but has to step out of the room for any decisions related to two banned terror groups. As first reported by Global, Anandasangaree can't be part of decisions on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) or the World Tamil Movement (WTM). The LTTE, or Tamil Tigers, were part of a deadly civil war in Sri Lanka, engaging in assassinations and suicide attacks. The World Tamil Movement was a group set up in the 1980s to serve Toronto's large and growing Tamil community but was designated a terrorist group by the federal government for their funding of the LTTE. Why did Anandasangaree recuse himself? That's unclear, to be honest. He was asked about this by Conservative MP Frank Caputo in the House of Commons on Thursday but didn't offer much in the way of detail. 'In all national security decisions, my utmost concern is that of the safety of Canadians,' Anandasangaree said. 'I will support law enforcement and national security agencies who do their work impartially and effectively.' That's a boring boilerplate answer that doesn't tell us much. Neither does the second half of his answer. 'In an abundance of caution, and to ensure that there is no perception of any conflict, I have asked the public safety officials to implement a screen on national security issues relating to the Tamil community,' he added. If Anandasangaree has no ties to the LTTE or WTM, there should be no need to recuse himself from decisions about these organizations. Simply being Tamil, as Gary Anandasangaree is, doesn't mean he can't make informed decisions. Of course, if the Carney government were looking to lift the terrorist designation on the LTTE and WTM, having a minister of Public Safety who was born in Sri Lanka and is Tamil could have a bad look. Is that the reason for Anandasangaree to declare that he won't take part in decisions about these groups? It's an idea that has been pushed by many in the Tamil community for years, noting that the civil war ended in 2009 with the defeat of the Tigers. In April 2022 while campaigning for the leadership of the Conservative Party, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he would lift the ban if elected. It would be a foolish move for Prime Minister Mark Carney to make but in keeping with a longstanding tradition for Liberals that winning over votes of specific ethnic groups is what really matters. Another possibility is the allegation that Anandasangaree has ties to the LTTE. That allegation was made back in 2014 as Anandasangaree was seeking the Liberal nomination in Scarborough-Rouge Park. Stories from diaspora media stated as fact, repeatedly, that Anandasangaree was part of the Tamil Tigers network. Many of those stories were posted to the website of the Sri Lankan government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are still available there. That's not proof that Anandasangaree is or was part of the Tigers, nomination races can be nasty affairs and in ethnic diaspora politics, this is especially true. It is equally true that Anandasangaree has to answer more questions on this front and that the Sri Lankan government's actions should also be called into question. Questions about this matter sent to Anandasangaree's office on Thursday resulted in a one-line response regarding LTTE involvement. 'That statement is categorically false,' said spokesperson Alice Hansen. Questions to Carney's office about having a minister of Public Safety having to recuse himself and facing allegations on a Sri Lankan government website were met with bland, general statements. 'Minister Anandasangaree has been a lifelong advocate for his community to ensure it is supported and represented. He has made clear that his utmost concern in all national security decisions is the safety of Canadians,' said the reply. That doesn't quite seem good enough, transparent enough. Either Anandasangaree can do his job fully, or he should be replaced. blilley@
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
LILLEY: Carney's public safety minister can't skip terror file
Gary Anandasangaree says he will recuse himself from decisions on some terror groups, it's untenable. Get the latest from Brian Lilley straight to your inbox Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, June 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick Is it wise to have a minister of Public Safety who has to recuse himself from files related to banned terrorist groups? The obvious answer is no, that's an untenable position and shouldn't be allowed to happen. 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 Welcome to Canada in 2025, though, where Gary Anandasangaree is the minister in charge of the terrorism file but has to step out of the room for any decisions related to two banned terror groups. As first reported by Global, Anandasangaree can't be part of decisions on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) or the World Tamil Movement (WTM). The LTTE, or Tamil Tigers, were part of a deadly civil war in Sri Lanka, engaging in assassinations and suicide attacks. The World Tamil Movement was a group set up in the 1980s to serve Toronto's large and growing Tamil community but was designated a terrorist group by the federal government for their funding of the LTTE. Why did Anandasangaree recuse himself? That's unclear, to be honest. He was asked about this by Conservative MP Frank Caputo in the House of Commons on Thursday but didn't offer much in the way of detail. 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. 'In all national security decisions, my utmost concern is that of the safety of Canadians,' Anandasangaree said. 'I will support law enforcement and national security agencies who do their work impartially and effectively.' That's a boring boilerplate answer that doesn't tell us much. Neither does the second half of his answer. 'In an abundance of caution, and to ensure that there is no perception of any conflict, I have asked the public safety officials to implement a screen on national security issues relating to the Tamil community,' he added. If Anandasangaree has no ties to the LTTE or WTM, there should be no need to recuse himself from decisions about these organizations. Simply being Tamil, as Gary Anandasangaree is, doesn't mean he can't make informed decisions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Of course, if the Carney government were looking to lift the terrorist designation on the LTTE and WTM, having a minister of Public Safety who was born in Sri Lanka and is Tamil could have a bad look. Is that the reason for Anandasangaree to declare that he won't take part in decisions about these groups? It's an idea that has been pushed by many in the Tamil community for years, noting that the civil war ended in 2009 with the defeat of the Tigers. In April 2022 while campaigning for the leadership of the Conservative Party, Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said he would lift the ban if elected. It would be a foolish move for Prime Minister Mark Carney to make but in keeping with a longstanding tradition for Liberals that winning over votes of specific ethnic groups is what really matters. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Another possibility is the allegation that Anandasangaree has ties to the LTTE. That allegation was made back in 2014 as Anandasangaree was seeking the Liberal nomination in Scarborough-Rouge Park. Stories from diaspora media stated as fact, repeatedly, that Anandasangaree was part of the Tamil Tigers network. Many of those stories were posted to the website of the Sri Lankan government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and are still available there. That's not proof that Anandasangaree is or was part of the Tigers, nomination races can be nasty affairs and in ethnic diaspora politics, this is especially true. It is equally true that Anandasangaree has to answer more questions on this front and that the Sri Lankan government's actions should also be called into question. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Questions about this matter sent to Anandasangaree's office on Thursday resulted in a one-line response regarding LTTE involvement. 'That statement is categorically false,' said spokesperson Alice Hansen. Questions to Carney's office about having a minister of Public Safety having to recuse himself and facing allegations on a Sri Lankan government website were met with bland, general statements. 'Minister Anandasangaree has been a lifelong advocate for his community to ensure it is supported and represented. He has made clear that his utmost concern in all national security decisions is the safety of Canadians,' said the reply. That doesn't quite seem good enough, transparent enough. Either Anandasangaree can do his job fully, or he should be replaced. blilley@ Sunshine Girls World Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls
