May 14, Colombo (LNW): Gary Anandasangaree, a Sri Lankan-born Canadian parliamentarian with a strong background in justice and Indigenous affairs, has been appointed as Canada’s new Minister of Public Safety.
His elevation to this critical post comes amid a sweeping cabinet reshuffle led by Prime Minister Mark Carney following his recent electoral victory.
As the head of Public Safety Canada, Anandasangaree will now oversee the country’s internal security, border protection, and emergency preparedness.
The portfolio also includes oversight of powerful national agencies such as the RCMP, CSIS, the Parole Board of Canada, Correctional Service Canada, and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
The announcement was made on 13 May 2025 as Prime Minister Carney introduced his 28-member cabinet and 10 secretaries of state. The new government reflects a blend of political continuity and change, with 24 new ministers including 13 first-time MPs, signalling Carney’s intention to pursue an ambitious policy agenda marked by economic transformation and national security recalibration.
Carney described his team as “purpose-built for this hinge moment,” alluding to both domestic and international challenges—chief among them a growing trade rift with the United States and rising concerns over transnational crime and migration control.
Anandasangaree, a Liberal MP representing Scarborough—Rouge Park since 2015, previously served as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, and more recently, as Minister of Crown–Indigenous Relations.
His promotion is seen as a recognition of both his legislative acumen and his long-standing advocacy on issues of human rights, reconciliation, and legal reform.
Born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, in 1973, he is the son of V. Anandasangaree, a veteran Tamil political leader and former head of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF).
The younger Anandasangaree emigrated to Canada during Sri Lanka’s civil unrest and built a reputation as a human rights lawyer and community leader before entering electoral politics.
Following his swearing-in, Anandasangaree took to social media to express gratitude for his new role, pledging to “keep our communities safe, combat hate, and strengthen our security institutions.”
He paid tribute to his predecessor and promised to work in collaboration with fellow ministers, provincial authorities, and civil society to meet emerging security threats while upholding democratic principles.
During his parliamentary career, Anandasangaree has championed Canada’s commitment to refugee protection, justice reform, and Indigenous rights. He played an instrumental role in fostering dialogue between the federal government and Indigenous communities and was a strong voice for reconciliation in his previous portfolio.
His appointment also holds symbolic weight, representing both the multicultural fabric of Canadian society and the increasing prominence of diaspora communities in national leadership.
It is a notable ascent for someone who arrived in Canada as a refugee and now holds one of the most consequential positions in the federal government.
I am deeply honoured and humbled to be sworn in as Minister of Public Safety.
— Gary Anandasangaree (@gary_srp) May 13, 2025
I look forward to building on the good work of David McGuinty, and I am committed to serving Canadians by keeping our communities safe, combatting hate, and strengthening our security agencies. pic.twitter.com/CTn4grUzyo
