Mercedes Stephenson

Stewart Bell, Mercedes Stephenson

Public safety minister’s phone number was in document seized during 2006 terror finance probe

Gary Anandasangaree’s phone number was found in a document seized when RCMP national security officers searched a suspected Tamil Tigers fundraising office in 2006, records obtained by Global News show. The police search took place nine years before Anandasangaree became a Liberal Member of Parliament, during a counter-terrorism investigation into a suspected money-collection scheme by Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers.

Stewart Bell, Mercedes Stephenson

Wife of terror group ‘member’ backed by public safety minister does not live in his riding: documents

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree’s claim that he was helping a constituent when he lobbied federal officials to let a terrorist group “member” resettle in Canada is contradicted by documents on the case, a Global News investigation has found. In defending letters he wrote before he joined cabinet that urged border security officials to approve the immigration application of a...

Stewart Bell, Jeff Semple, Mercedes Stephenson, Nathaniel Dove

Prime Minister Carney says he still has confidence in public safety minister

Prime Minister Mark Carney stood by his public safety minister on Wednesday, saying Gary Anandasangaree had been open about his support for the immigration of a suspected terrorist group member. “The public safety minister has been transparent about the details of that situation and he has my confidence,” Carney said after announcing measures to protect Canada’s steel industry.

Stewart Bell, Jeff Semple, Mercedes Stephenson

Before joining cabinet, public safety minister wrote immigration support letters for terror group ‘member’

Before he was appointed to the federal cabinet two years ago, Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree wrote letters urging Canadian officials to approve the immigration application of a man they had determined was a member of a terrorist organization. The letters, dated 2023 and 2016, were written on Anandasangaree’s House of Commons letterhead and sent to the Canada Border Services...

Stewart Bell, Mercedes Stephenson

Indian agent had Jagmeet Singh under close surveillance

A suspected Indian government agent had Jagmeet Singh under close surveillance, prompting the RCMP to place the New Democratic Party leader in police protection 18 months ago, sources have told Global News. The agent, who is allegedly tied to activities directed by the Indian government, had access to intimate knowledge of Singh’s daily routines, travel and family, according to the...

Stewart Bell, Mercedes Stephenson

Public safety minister recuses himself from files on 2 terrorist groups

The cabinet minister leading Prime Minister Mark Carney’s border security push said Tuesday he is recusing himself from files related to a Sri Lankan terrorist group and its Canadian front organization. In a statement sent to Global News on Tuesday, the office of Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said he had stepped back from “any matter related to the Liberation...

Stewart Bell, Mercedes Stephenson

Public safety minister asks officials to ‘screen’ him from conflict of interest

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree has stepped back from national security decisions related to the “Tamil community,” he has acknowledged in a statement to Global News.The announcement from the minister leading the government’s initiative to secure Canada’s borders amidst U.S. pressure gave little detail on what he has deemed off-limits or why.

Sean Previl, Mercedes Stephenson

King Charles III to open Parliament at end of May, Carney says

Prime Minister Mark Carney says King Charles III will open Parliament later this month to begin the 45th Canadian government. “We will have the privilege of welcoming His Majesty King Charles III, who will deliver the Speech from the Throne on May 27,” Carney told reporters Friday in his first press conference since his party’s election win. “Her Majesty the...

Sean Boynton, Mercedes Stephenson

Mark Carney to be sworn in as Canada’s next prime minister Friday

Liberal Leader Mark Carney will be be sworn in as Canada’s new prime minister on Friday, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon’s office confirmed Wednesday. A statement said a swearing-in ceremony for Carney and his cabinet will be held at Rideau Hall at 11 a.m. Eastern. Carney will replace outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after winning a race for the Liberal leadership...

Alex Boutilier, Mercedes Stephenson

Chrystia Freeland to set aggressive timeline for 2% defence spending by 2027

Liberal leadership hopeful Chrystia Freeland is expected to outline an aggressive plan to reach Canada’s NATO defence spending targets by 2027. The former finance minister and deputy prime minister is expected to lay out her plan to boost defence spending to two per cent of Canada’s GDP in just two years on Thursday.

Isaac Callan, Mercedes Stephenson

Trudeau promises border helicopters at ‘very productive’ Trump meeting: source

President-elect Donald Trump says a surprise meeting with Justin Trudeau at his Florida home was “very productive,” after the prime minister flew down to discuss the growing threat of American tariffs on Canadian goods, the border and national defence. On Friday evening, Trudeau landed in Florida and travelled to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club for a hastily arranged dinner and discussion with...

Mackenzie Gray, Mercedes Stephenson

Liberals set to announce immigration system changes, sources say

The federal government is set to announce major changes to Canada’s immigration system on Thursday, three sources tell Global News. It comes amid a push from up to 30 backbench Liberal MPs to have Prime Minister Justin Trudeau quit. One of those sources said there will be a reduction in the number of permanent residents admitted to Canada on an...

Stewart Bell, Mercedes Stephenson

India’s crimes in Canada and the politician allegedly behind them

Fourteen bullets fired at a home near Victoria. An Edmonton building torched by arsonists with a red jerrycan. A 39-year-old found dead in a Winnipeg duplex.

Stewart Bell, Mercedes Stephenson

How Indian government agents in Canada targeted Modi’s opponents

Agents working out of India’s high commission in Ottawa and consulates in Vancouver and Toronto were behind dozens of violent crimes across Canada that targeted opponents of the Modi government, Global News has learned. Although on paper they held diplomatic and consular positions, the Indian agents played key roles in a wave of shootings, killings, threats, arsons and extortions in...

Sean Boynton, Mercedes Stephenson

Canada readying troops in case of Lebanon evacuations: sources

The Canadian Armed Forces is changing its posture and increasing troops in the Middle East to give the government more flexibility — including the ability to move quickly if an evacuation is ordered for citizens in Lebanon, Global News has learned. Canada’s plan has been ready for months and some assets have been prepositioned. But on Wednesday night, troops received...

Mercedes Stephenson, Stewart Bell

Tip about Toronto ISIS plot came from France

The investigation that resulted in the arrests of two Toronto men accused of plotting an attack for ISIS began with a tip from France, sources have told Global News. French authorities allegedly became aware of at least one of the suspects and notified Canada’s intelligence service. Following a brief investigation, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service called in the RCMP, which...

Stewart Bell, Mercedes Stephenson, Catherine McDonald

Toronto terror arrests raise questions about security screening

The federal government is declining to explain how a Toronto man was able to immigrate to Canada despite allegedly having taken part in ISIS violence overseas. Ahmed Fouad Mostafa Eldidi, 62, has been charged with committing an aggravated assault for the so-called Islamic State. The alleged incident took place outside Canada in 2015.

Stewart Bell, Mercedes Stephenson

Former Ontario nuclear plant operator employee charged in secretive leak case

A former employee of the Crown corporation that operates Ontario’s nuclear plants has been charged with leaking “safeguarded information” that could harm Canada. In a case unfolding quietly in a courtroom east of Toronto, James Mousaly faces a rare charge under the Security of Information Act

David Baxter, Mercedes Stephenson

On military readiness, ‘everyone is in big trouble’ after Ukraine aid: Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the amount of military aid NATO allies have been shipping to Ukraine to help its fight against Russia’s invasion means “everyone is in big trouble” with military supplies. “We have stayed strong at a time where bigger countries and countries that play by different rules have tried really hard to impact us. And we’re continuing...

David Baxter, Mercedes Stephenson

An Israel-Hamas conflict ceasefire ‘can’t be one-sided:’ Trudeau

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that Canada’s support for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict doesn’t mean the country’s position on Israel has changed. “We were among the first countries to call for humanitarian pauses, and we’re now calling, like much of the rest of the world, for work towards a ceasefire,” Trudeau said in a year-end interview airing in...

David Baxter, Mercedes Stephenson

Trudeau says antisemitism rise is ‘terrifying’ after teen terror charges

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the rise of antisemitism in Canada is “terrifying” after a 15-year-old was arrested late on Friday night in Ottawa and charged with terrorism-related offences.