Latest news with #Anandasangaree
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.'
Global News
21-07-2025
- 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
20-07-2025
- 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
18-07-2025
- 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)
Toronto Sun
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
LILLEY: Anandasangaree needs to go as Public Safety Minister
You can't be in charge of the terrorist group list while being unable to speak to several groups on the list or writing letters in favour of their members. Get the latest from Brian Lilley straight to your inbox Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Gary Anandasangaree is pictured at a press conference in Saskatoon, Sask. on Friday Feb. 21, 2025. Photo by Michelle Berg / Saskatoon StarPhoenix Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has to go, there are no two ways about it. You cannot serve as Canada's Minister of Public Safety, in charge of prosecuting terrorism cases and overseeing the terror watch list, while advocating for terrorist groups. 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. 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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 Anandasangaree was named to this top position in the Carney government shortly after the April 28, 2025 federal election. A month ago it was revealed that Anandasangaree would recuse himself from any decisions related to two groups of Canada's list of banned terrorist groups, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the World Tamil Movement (WTM). Now, thanks to reporting from Global News, we have learned that in 2016 and 2023, Anandasangaree wrote in support of an immigration application for a man believed to have been a member of the Tamil Tigers or LTTE. Anandasangaree is himself a Tamil from Sri Lanka who came to Canada at a young age. None of that excuses him from the fact that his current job requires a clear and firm line on terror issues, which Anandasangaree cannot provide. 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. Despite my own personal background, Carney could appoint me to this same position, and I wouldn't have to recuse myself from files involving the Irish Republican Army or similar groups. That Anandasangaree needs to do this is problematic and has nothing to do with his ethnicity and more to do with his personal politics. 'What confidence do you have in the Public Safety Minister?' Carney was asked on Wednesday. His answer was less than stellar. 'The Public Safety Minister has been transparent about the details of that situation, and he has my confidence,' Carney said. First off, Anandasangaree has been less than transparent with the public on why he has to recuse himself from key parts of his job, he's not answering questions on this and the government is being quiet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Secondly, the reporter never should have asked Carney whether he has confidence in the minister as their first question on the matter. They should have asked for a reaction to Anandasangaree signing a letter in support of a man purportedly tied to a terror group – one that Anandasangaree needs to recuse himself from any questions on. In more ways than one, Minister Anandasangaree cannot currently do his job and needs to be removed. Voters will decide if he remains their representative and quite frankly, if Carney wanted him in cabinet, there are other positions he could fill. Yet, having a Minister of Public Safety who cannot deal with issues of two banned terror groups and who has spoken up for an alleged member of another to come into Canada leaves far too many questions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Anandasangaree needs to be removed at the earliest possible moment and if the government won't do that, at least exclude him from much of the decision making until he is removed. There are already rumours of a Carney cabinet shuffle in the works for this fall. Multiple sources are saying the new PM is looking for competent people to place in cabinet rather than leave Trudeau wannabes hanging around. Among the names supposedly on the chopping block are Chrystia Freeland, Steven Guilbeault, Melanie Joly and others. If Carney is willing to go this far with cabinet changes, then Anandasangaree has to be dispatched as well. We simply cannot have a cabinet minister in charge of the terrorism file who is beholden to any of the groups on the terror list or who has spoken out in favour of them. That's where we find ourselves with Minister Anandasangaree, and his time as the head of public safety needs to come to an end. Read More Toronto & GTA Tennis Toronto & GTA MMA World
