From what I'm reading, if she's not a "lobbyist" I don't know what she is. Don't care if she gets paid or not. She's providing access & talking to people who could potentially provide funds for whatever she was selling - salesman or not! Isn't that being a "lobbyist?
WE really need to get rid of this guy
- Thread starter Retired_Can_Soldier
- Start date
Lobbyists work to influence government decisions on behalf of their clients, which can be organizations, companies, or even individuals. They communicate with public officials to advocate for specific policies, regulations, or legislative proposals that benefit their clients. This can involve providing information, expertise, and arguments to support their client's position.
She's lobbying but without having to ambush an MP in the House or on the street
Retiring MP pensions now average $81Gs, new report says
MPs and Senators with six or more years of service are eligible for pensions upon reaching retirement age
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Published Jul 10, 2025 • Last updated 21 hours ago • 1 minute read
OTTAWA — Canada’s golden parachute for returning MPs got a bit shinier, according to a recently-released government report.
According to the latest Report on the Administration of the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act, an annual Treasury Board Secretariat bulletin on parliamentarian pension, retired MP pensions averaged $81,140 as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year, with $54.3 million paid out in benefits.
These benefits include retirement allowances, survivor benefits, withdrawal allowances and spousal pension divisions.
Established in 1952, the Members of Parliament Pension Plan provides retirement income for eligible members of the House of Commons and Senate, with benefits provided to spouses and children upon the member’s death.
A total of 1,193 members are currently enrolled in the parliamentarian pension plan — 432 active MPs and Senators, 569 who are retired, and 192 cases paid out to spouses and children of deceased members.
MPs and Senators with six or more years of service are pension-eligible upon reaching retirement age, however some are eligible to receive more.
Upon leaving office, former prime minister Justin Trudeau will net over $8 million over two separate pensions when he reaches retirement age — one for his nearly 17 years as a member of parliament, and a second for his decade as prime minister.
Members of Parliament who found themselves voted out of office in April who didn’t qualify for a pension include Matthew Green, Irek Kusmierczyk, Han Dong, and Taylor Bachrach.
MPs who don’t meet the six-year eligibility criteria for a pension are still entitled to the customary lump-sum severance payout of one-half their regular salary, or $104,900.
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume
torontosun.com
MPs and Senators with six or more years of service are eligible for pensions upon reaching retirement age
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Published Jul 10, 2025 • Last updated 21 hours ago • 1 minute read
OTTAWA — Canada’s golden parachute for returning MPs got a bit shinier, according to a recently-released government report.
According to the latest Report on the Administration of the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act, an annual Treasury Board Secretariat bulletin on parliamentarian pension, retired MP pensions averaged $81,140 as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year, with $54.3 million paid out in benefits.
These benefits include retirement allowances, survivor benefits, withdrawal allowances and spousal pension divisions.
Established in 1952, the Members of Parliament Pension Plan provides retirement income for eligible members of the House of Commons and Senate, with benefits provided to spouses and children upon the member’s death.
A total of 1,193 members are currently enrolled in the parliamentarian pension plan — 432 active MPs and Senators, 569 who are retired, and 192 cases paid out to spouses and children of deceased members.
MPs and Senators with six or more years of service are pension-eligible upon reaching retirement age, however some are eligible to receive more.
Upon leaving office, former prime minister Justin Trudeau will net over $8 million over two separate pensions when he reaches retirement age — one for his nearly 17 years as a member of parliament, and a second for his decade as prime minister.
Members of Parliament who found themselves voted out of office in April who didn’t qualify for a pension include Matthew Green, Irek Kusmierczyk, Han Dong, and Taylor Bachrach.
MPs who don’t meet the six-year eligibility criteria for a pension are still entitled to the customary lump-sum severance payout of one-half their regular salary, or $104,900.
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume
Retiring MP pensions now average $81Gs, new report says
MPs and Senators with six or more years of service are eligible for pensions upon reaching retirement age
It's an OUTRAGE! Ex-MPs should be stripped of all assets and tossed out on the street!
No special treatment for losers and quitters.
No special treatment for losers and quitters.
Why are they eligible for a pension after only 6 years? THAT is a travesty & it's unconscionable! I've always thought that & continue to believe that needs to be addressed.Retiring MP pensions now average $81Gs, new report says
MPs and Senators with six or more years of service are eligible for pensions upon reaching retirement age
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Published Jul 10, 2025 • Last updated 21 hours ago • 1 minute read
OTTAWA — Canada’s golden parachute for returning MPs got a bit shinier, according to a recently-released government report.
According to the latest Report on the Administration of the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act, an annual Treasury Board Secretariat bulletin on parliamentarian pension, retired MP pensions averaged $81,140 as of the end of the 2024 fiscal year, with $54.3 million paid out in benefits.
These benefits include retirement allowances, survivor benefits, withdrawal allowances and spousal pension divisions.
Established in 1952, the Members of Parliament Pension Plan provides retirement income for eligible members of the House of Commons and Senate, with benefits provided to spouses and children upon the member’s death.
A total of 1,193 members are currently enrolled in the parliamentarian pension plan — 432 active MPs and Senators, 569 who are retired, and 192 cases paid out to spouses and children of deceased members.
MPs and Senators with six or more years of service are pension-eligible upon reaching retirement age, however some are eligible to receive more.
Upon leaving office, former prime minister Justin Trudeau will net over $8 million over two separate pensions when he reaches retirement age — one for his nearly 17 years as a member of parliament, and a second for his decade as prime minister.
Members of Parliament who found themselves voted out of office in April who didn’t qualify for a pension include Matthew Green, Irek Kusmierczyk, Han Dong, and Taylor Bachrach.
MPs who don’t meet the six-year eligibility criteria for a pension are still entitled to the customary lump-sum severance payout of one-half their regular salary, or $104,900.
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume
Retiring MP pensions now average $81Gs, new report says
MPs and Senators with six or more years of service are eligible for pensions upon reaching retirement age
Because we need to attract the best and the brightest we are told .
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown under police protection after receiving threat
Brown declines to provide specifics of incident, says it's not first time he's been threatened
Author of the article:Jack Boland
Published Jul 15, 2025 • 2 minute read
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown speaks to media.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown reveals he is under police protection after a death threat was made toward him and his family in June 2025 during a news conference at Peel Regional Police headquarters on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Peel Regional Police are assigning protection to Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown after he and his family were threatened with death.
Brown was attending a Peel Regional Police news conference at headquarters about a bust involving an organized crime group linked to home invasions when the announcement was made.
“I feel safer today than I probably did a week or two ago,” Brown, who received the threat in late June, told media in the front foyer of the police headquarters.
“This is not the first time I have received a death threat. I did so a number of years ago and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
“And I want my family to be safe. And I believe they are.
“The threat was identified and the police felt that protection was required. It is certainly alarming for my family.”
Brown is a strong proponent of safety and policing in his community and has backed the efforts of police to tamp down on organized crime, tow-truck wars and a massive cocaine importation ring that was dismantled.
“I won’t change my approach to being outspoken about public safety and (will) do my job accordingly,” said Brown.
He did not offer specifics about the threat and left the matter in the hands of Peel police.
Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said they assessed the threat was made in Canada and have taken the appropriate precautions to assist the mayor and his family.
“The threat to the mayor is something that we have taken entirely under police jurisdiction. And we continue to investigate it,” said Milinovich.
“And until we have arrested and identified the person responsible, there are certain precautions that need to be taken.”
Milinovich said threats to politicians and public figures are a “sign of the times.
“We are seeing it more frequently,” he said. “People are being freer with their words and it’s not an easy time right now in public and community safety.
“It is not unusual that we would have to provide additional or heightened security for a community member — which the mayor is a member of — in order to mitigate any potential risk or even a worse crime from happening.”
torontosun.com
Brown declines to provide specifics of incident, says it's not first time he's been threatened
Author of the article:Jack Boland
Published Jul 15, 2025 • 2 minute read
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown speaks to media.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown reveals he is under police protection after a death threat was made toward him and his family in June 2025 during a news conference at Peel Regional Police headquarters on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Peel Regional Police are assigning protection to Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown after he and his family were threatened with death.
Brown was attending a Peel Regional Police news conference at headquarters about a bust involving an organized crime group linked to home invasions when the announcement was made.
“I feel safer today than I probably did a week or two ago,” Brown, who received the threat in late June, told media in the front foyer of the police headquarters.
“This is not the first time I have received a death threat. I did so a number of years ago and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
“And I want my family to be safe. And I believe they are.
“The threat was identified and the police felt that protection was required. It is certainly alarming for my family.”
Brown is a strong proponent of safety and policing in his community and has backed the efforts of police to tamp down on organized crime, tow-truck wars and a massive cocaine importation ring that was dismantled.
“I won’t change my approach to being outspoken about public safety and (will) do my job accordingly,” said Brown.
He did not offer specifics about the threat and left the matter in the hands of Peel police.
Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said they assessed the threat was made in Canada and have taken the appropriate precautions to assist the mayor and his family.
“The threat to the mayor is something that we have taken entirely under police jurisdiction. And we continue to investigate it,” said Milinovich.
“And until we have arrested and identified the person responsible, there are certain precautions that need to be taken.”
Milinovich said threats to politicians and public figures are a “sign of the times.
“We are seeing it more frequently,” he said. “People are being freer with their words and it’s not an easy time right now in public and community safety.
“It is not unusual that we would have to provide additional or heightened security for a community member — which the mayor is a member of — in order to mitigate any potential risk or even a worse crime from happening.”
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown under police protection after receiving threat
Peel Regional Police are assigning protection to Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown after he and his family were threatened with death last month.
Brampton man, 29, charged after mayor allegedly threatened with deathBrampton Mayor Patrick Brown under police protection after receiving threat
Brown declines to provide specifics of incident, says it's not first time he's been threatened
Author of the article:Jack Boland
Published Jul 15, 2025 • 2 minute read
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown speaks to media.
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown reveals he is under police protection after a death threat was made toward him and his family in June 2025 during a news conference at Peel Regional Police headquarters on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Peel Regional Police are assigning protection to Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown after he and his family were threatened with death.
Brown was attending a Peel Regional Police news conference at headquarters about a bust involving an organized crime group linked to home invasions when the announcement was made.
“I feel safer today than I probably did a week or two ago,” Brown, who received the threat in late June, told media in the front foyer of the police headquarters.
“This is not the first time I have received a death threat. I did so a number of years ago and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
“And I want my family to be safe. And I believe they are.
“The threat was identified and the police felt that protection was required. It is certainly alarming for my family.”
Brown is a strong proponent of safety and policing in his community and has backed the efforts of police to tamp down on organized crime, tow-truck wars and a massive cocaine importation ring that was dismantled.
“I won’t change my approach to being outspoken about public safety and (will) do my job accordingly,” said Brown.
He did not offer specifics about the threat and left the matter in the hands of Peel police.
Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich said they assessed the threat was made in Canada and have taken the appropriate precautions to assist the mayor and his family.
“The threat to the mayor is something that we have taken entirely under police jurisdiction. And we continue to investigate it,” said Milinovich.
“And until we have arrested and identified the person responsible, there are certain precautions that need to be taken.”
Milinovich said threats to politicians and public figures are a “sign of the times.
“We are seeing it more frequently,” he said. “People are being freer with their words and it’s not an easy time right now in public and community safety.
“It is not unusual that we would have to provide additional or heightened security for a community member — which the mayor is a member of — in order to mitigate any potential risk or even a worse crime from happening.”
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown under police protection after receiving threat
Peel Regional Police are assigning protection to Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown after he and his family were threatened with death last month.
Kanwarjyot Singh Manoria charged by Peel cops with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm
Author of the article:Bryan Passifiume
Published Jul 16, 2025 • Last updated 9 hours ago • 1 minute read
Kanwarjyot
Kanwarjyot Singh Manoria, 29, of Brampton faces charges.
Police in Peel Region charged a man they say is responsible for making threats against the mayor of Brampton.
The investigation began in June when police were told about the threats made against Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and his family, prompting the police service to provide protection.
In a statement posted to social media, Brown thanked Peel Regional Police and said he felt relieved that an arrest had been made.
“Violence and threats of violence have no place in a democracy,” he wrote.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Brampton, and threats will not deter me from doing the job they elected me to do.”
Brown has declined to elaborate on the nature of the threats.
On Tuesday, police conducted search warrants related to the investigation, reportedly seizing electronic devices.
Kanwarjyot Singh Manoria, 29, of Brampton, was taken into custody and charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
He’s currently in custody awaiting a bail hearing.
Police say they believe Manoria acted alone and is no longer a threat.
Anybody with additional information is asked to call Peel police at 905-453-3311, Ext. 2233, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.
bpassifiume@postmedia.com
X: @bryanpassifiume
Brampton man, 29, charged after mayor allegedly threatened with death
Kanwarjyot Singh Manoria, 29, of Brampton, was charged by Peel Regional Police with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.
Bonnie Crombie faces serious challenge for her leadership
Ontario's Liberal Leader could be ousted this September.
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Jul 17, 2025 • 3 minute read
Bonnie Crombie may have increased her party’s seat count, regained party status and boosted the total number of votes, but some still want her gone.
The leader of Ontario’s Liberal Party faces a leadership review this coming September, as per the party’s constitution, and it won’t be easy.
It’s odd that someone who was able to make such an improvement to her party’s standing is facing a challenge in just a few weeks, but such is politics.
The leadership review is required under the party constitution and isn’t a commentary on Crombie’s leadership – though some would like it to be. The party’s Annual General Meeting runs from Sept. 12-14 in Toronto and will include a membership vote on the future of Crombie’s leadership.
In a video released via social media on Tuesday night, Crombie began making her pitch to stay on as the provincial Liberal leader.
“I’ve been travelling across the province, participating in regional meetings, but I wanted to share some of my thoughts directly with you about what went well in the last election, and well what didn’t,” Crombie said.
She went on to talk about a review of the 2025 campaign, her desire to see the party do better and her plan to make sure that happens including naming candidates earlier for the next campaign.
“I’ll say that right now: We intend to open nominations in many ridings as of January 2026, to ensure that we have a head start recruiting candidates,” Crombie said, noting that earlier nominations allow for greater local fundraising and organizing.
Despite Premier Doug Ford telegraphing an early election nine months before it happened, the Ontario Liberal Party was not ready. Some candidates in key ridings the party could have won were not named or nominated until after the election was called.
That Ford would have gone early was one of the worst kept secrets in Ontario politics.
Still, Crombie, in my view, has earned the right to stay.
Under Crombie’s leadership, the Liberals have gone from 7 seats in the 2022 election to 14 in the 2025 contest. They went from 1.1 million votes in 2022 to 1.5 million votes in 2025 and regained official party status, a designation they had not held since 2018.
Sure, Crombie lost her seat, similar to another opposition leader at the federal level, but she made things better for her party.
Despite all of this, Crombie faces a challenge to her leadership from a former leadership contender and from an apparent grassroots group that may have ties to that former leadership contender.
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith ran for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party in 2023 and came second to Crombie. Now, the rumour is that Erskine-Smith wants to take another run at the party leadership and take Crombie out in the process. New Leaf, a supposed “grassroots” group, appears aligned with him.
Let me say this about both of them.
The knock against Crombie is that she is lazy and won’t do the work to rebuild the party. That is something that I hear from Liberals and that her supporters deny, but if true then party members will take her out over it.
The knock against Erskine-Smith is simpler and one that any party would have trouble with. If you can’t be part of a caucus, how can you lead a caucus?
Erskine-Smith has built his career as a renegade, an outsider, but politics is a team sport. If you want to be a party leader, you not only need to know how to be a team player, you need to know how to lead a team.
He doesn’t know how to be a team player, and that is something he has shown time and again.
He was leaving federal politics to spend more time with his family until he was appointed to cabinet, then he changed his mind and ran again. Then after not getting into cabinet, he is chafing and looking at a provincial run.
If he won, he would take the Ontario Liberal Party to the left of the NDP.
Anyone looking to appoint Erskine-Smith as Ontario Liberal Leader clearly wants them to keep losing. That isn’t to say that Crombie would win, but at least compared to Erskine-Smith, they would have a shot.
torontosun.com
Ontario's Liberal Leader could be ousted this September.
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Jul 17, 2025 • 3 minute read
Bonnie Crombie may have increased her party’s seat count, regained party status and boosted the total number of votes, but some still want her gone.
The leader of Ontario’s Liberal Party faces a leadership review this coming September, as per the party’s constitution, and it won’t be easy.
It’s odd that someone who was able to make such an improvement to her party’s standing is facing a challenge in just a few weeks, but such is politics.
The leadership review is required under the party constitution and isn’t a commentary on Crombie’s leadership – though some would like it to be. The party’s Annual General Meeting runs from Sept. 12-14 in Toronto and will include a membership vote on the future of Crombie’s leadership.
In a video released via social media on Tuesday night, Crombie began making her pitch to stay on as the provincial Liberal leader.
“I’ve been travelling across the province, participating in regional meetings, but I wanted to share some of my thoughts directly with you about what went well in the last election, and well what didn’t,” Crombie said.
She went on to talk about a review of the 2025 campaign, her desire to see the party do better and her plan to make sure that happens including naming candidates earlier for the next campaign.
“I’ll say that right now: We intend to open nominations in many ridings as of January 2026, to ensure that we have a head start recruiting candidates,” Crombie said, noting that earlier nominations allow for greater local fundraising and organizing.
Despite Premier Doug Ford telegraphing an early election nine months before it happened, the Ontario Liberal Party was not ready. Some candidates in key ridings the party could have won were not named or nominated until after the election was called.
That Ford would have gone early was one of the worst kept secrets in Ontario politics.
Still, Crombie, in my view, has earned the right to stay.
Under Crombie’s leadership, the Liberals have gone from 7 seats in the 2022 election to 14 in the 2025 contest. They went from 1.1 million votes in 2022 to 1.5 million votes in 2025 and regained official party status, a designation they had not held since 2018.
Sure, Crombie lost her seat, similar to another opposition leader at the federal level, but she made things better for her party.
Despite all of this, Crombie faces a challenge to her leadership from a former leadership contender and from an apparent grassroots group that may have ties to that former leadership contender.
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith ran for leader of the Ontario Liberal Party in 2023 and came second to Crombie. Now, the rumour is that Erskine-Smith wants to take another run at the party leadership and take Crombie out in the process. New Leaf, a supposed “grassroots” group, appears aligned with him.
Let me say this about both of them.
The knock against Crombie is that she is lazy and won’t do the work to rebuild the party. That is something that I hear from Liberals and that her supporters deny, but if true then party members will take her out over it.
The knock against Erskine-Smith is simpler and one that any party would have trouble with. If you can’t be part of a caucus, how can you lead a caucus?
Erskine-Smith has built his career as a renegade, an outsider, but politics is a team sport. If you want to be a party leader, you not only need to know how to be a team player, you need to know how to lead a team.
He doesn’t know how to be a team player, and that is something he has shown time and again.
He was leaving federal politics to spend more time with his family until he was appointed to cabinet, then he changed his mind and ran again. Then after not getting into cabinet, he is chafing and looking at a provincial run.
If he won, he would take the Ontario Liberal Party to the left of the NDP.
Anyone looking to appoint Erskine-Smith as Ontario Liberal Leader clearly wants them to keep losing. That isn’t to say that Crombie would win, but at least compared to Erskine-Smith, they would have a shot.
LILLEY: Bonnie Crombie faces serious challenge for her leadership
Bonnie Crombie may have increased her party’s seat count, regained party status and boosted the vote totals, but some still want her gone.
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.
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Jul 17, 2025 • 3 minute read
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
globalnews.ca
torontosun.com
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.
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Jul 17, 2025 • 3 minute read
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Before joining cabinet, public safety minister wrote immigration support letters for terror group ‘member’ | Globalnews.ca
Gary Anandasangaree asked CBSA to 'review and reconsider' decision denying permanent residence to alleged Tamil Tigers member.
globalnews.ca
LILLEY: Anandasangaree needs to go as Public Safety Minister
You can't be in charge of the official list of terrorist groups when you are unable to rule on some and writing letters in support.