?? By Siva Sivapragasam??
Gary Anandasangaree, Member of Parliament for Scarborough – Rouge Park, has been appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism.??
Mr. Anandasangaree was elected the Member of Parliament for Scarborough – Rouge Park in 2015.Gary Anandasangaree has been a passionate advocate for social justice and has been a crusader on human rights issues and equality both in Canada and abroad. Gary becomes the first person of Sri Lankan Tamil origin to be appointed to this prestigious post.
Gary graduated with an Honours degree in??Political Science in 1996 from Carleton University and was awarded the Henry Marshall Tory Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the University while attaining a high academic standing. He graduated in 2005 from Osgoode Hall Law School and was called to the Bar in Ontario in 2006.??Gary ventured on his own, initially as a sole practitioner, and then established Gary Anandasangaree and Associates Professional Corporation.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with Gary Anandasangaree, MP
As a refugee himself, Gary was personally moved by the first boatload of Tamils who came to the shores of Newfoundland in 1986.?? He has followed their passage and has worked to acknowledge the inspiring work of the Canadian Captain and crew responsible for their rescue.?? He has developed a special bond with the people of Admirals Beech in Newfoundland and with the Captain and Crew of the rescuers and has documented their stories.?? In 2009, and 2010, Gary was inspired and moved by the arrival of the MV Ocean Lady and MV Sun Sea.?? He was one of the lawyers present on arrival and coordinated the triage and subsequent responses, both legal, and media to Canadians.
Since 2009, Gary Anandasangaree has engaged the United Nations Human Rights Council system by representing Lawyers??? Rights Watch Canada, an EcoSoc Accredited Organization with the United Nations System.?? He has intervened and presented to Council on issues relating to the independence of judges and jurors, and accountability in Sri Lanka and Syria.?? He has presented at Panels and lead delegations to meet with Governments.?????? He has trained and mentored over 10 young professionals in engaging the UNHRC.
Gary is married to Harini and they have two young girls, Bairavi and Sahanah.
???As I accept this new role, I am guided by the values this country has taught me: Inclusiveness, Diversity, Multiculturalism and Equality. This new role will enable me to bring my experience and perspective to defend these important values and to ensure that our country remains an open country where we look at people???s differences as a source of strength and not as a weakness. I will defend these values each and every day, and work hard towards strengthening our country, and building a more just society. Thank You, Merci, Miigwetch, Nandri ! ???, stated Gary Anandasangaree after his new appointment.
