Public Safety Minister Recuses Himself From Files Linked to Tamil Community
Posted on June 19th, 2025
Matthew Horwood Courtesy Theepochtimes
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree in a file photo. The Canadian Press/Darren Calabrese
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said he has recused himself from files on national security issues related to the Tamil community.
During Question Period on June 12, Conservative MP Frank Caputo questioned Anandasangaree about why the minister recused himself, and whether the ethics commissioner was consulted prior to his department setting up an internal conflict of interest screen.
Anandasangaree responded that with all national security decisions, his main concern is Canadians’ safety. I will support law enforcement and national security agencies who do their work impartially and effectively,” he said.
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In an abundance of caution and to ensure that there is no perception of any conflict, I’ve asked the public safety officials to implement a screen on national security issues relating to the Tamil community.”
According to the ethics commissioner’s website, a conflict of interest screen refers to when an elected official agrees to abstain from any discussions, decisions, debate or votes concerning the matter that forms the subject of the conflict of interest.” It is meant to minimize the chance of conflicts arising between the public duties of the public office holder and their private interests or those of their relatives and friends.”
Anandasangaree was born in Sri Lanka before coming to Canada and graduating from Carleton University in Ottawa in 1996. He was involved with several Tamil groups such as the Canadian Tamil Congress and the Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce.
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Anandasangaree became the Liberal MP for Scarborough—Rouge Park in 2015 and has been re-elected three times. Since becoming an MP, Anandasangaree has held the roles of minister of crown-indigenous relations from July 2023 to December 2024, and justice minister from March 14 to May 2025.
Anandasangaree has also previously campaigned against human rights abuses during the Sri Lankan Civil War that lasted from 1983 to 2009.
In 2009, when Anandasangaree was working with the Canadian Tamil Congress, he assisted with 76 migrants who arrived by ship from Sri Lanka seeking to become refugees Canada.
Canadian officials initially investigated the ship occupants for possible links to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) before releasing them.
The Canadian government has listed the LTTE as a terrorist organization due to its terror attacks against civilian centres, and political assassinations.”
When Anandasangaree was asked about the ship during a June 3 press conference in Parliament, the minister said he has a very strong history in supporting and working with asylum seekers and those who have come to Canada as refugees.”
I continuously work with many agencies that provide front-line services to refugees. So I do believe I have the credibility to talk about issues at our border, issues of … those who come to Canada by irregular means,” he said.