Gary Anandasangaree has been named Canada’s Minister of Justice in the newly formed cabinet under Prime Minister Mark Carney. This makes him the first Tamil-Canadian to hold the position.
Anandasangaree, a lawyer and long-time human rights advocate was born in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He moved to Canada in 1983, shortly after the anti-Tamil pogrom known as Black July. Growing up in Canada, he witnessed the struggles of the Tamil diaspora, many of whom were refugees fleeing the civil war in Sri Lanka.
Before entering politics, Anandasangaree was actively involved in community work, collaborating with organizations such as the Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Tamil Congress, and the Canadian Tamil Youth Development Centre. He also represented Tamil human rights issues at the United Nations Human Rights Council, advocating for accountability regarding Sri Lanka’s treatment of Tamils.
As a Member of Parliament, he played a key role in Canada’s recognition of May 18th as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day and pushed for sanctions against Sri Lankan officials accused of war crimes.
Anandasangaree is the son of veteran Sri Lankan Tamil politician V. Anandasangaree, who led the Tamil United Liberation Front party. His appointment marks a significant milestone for the Tamil-Canadian community and underscores his continued commitment to justice and human rights.
