Gary Anandasangaree appointed Canadian Justice Minister

Gary Anandasangaree, a Jaffna-born Tamil Canadian, has been appointed as Canada’s Minister of Justice and Attorney-General (MoJAG) in the newly formed cabinet of Prime Minister Mark Carney on March 14 2025, during the swearing-in ceremony at Rideau Hall, Ottawa. 

 

He is the son of TULF senior V. Ananda Sangaree.

 

Carney, who succeeded Justin Trudeau as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister, retained key members of Trudeau’s team while introducing fresh faces like Anandasangaree to his 24-member cabinet.

 

Born on 14 October 1972 in Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Gary fled to Canada with his mother in August 1983 following the anti-Tamil pogrom known as "Black July." 

 

His early life was shaped by adversity, but he excelled academically, earning degrees in Political Science and Law. He later established a successful legal practice specializing in human rights law.

 

A staunch advocate for Tamil rights and reconciliation, Anandasangaree has consistently championed justice for Tamils affected by Sri Lanka’s civil war. 

 

His political career began with his election as a Liberal MP for Scarborough-Rouge Park in 2015—a constituency with significant Tamil representation. He has since won three consecutive elections with over 60% of the vote.

 

Previously serving as Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations under Trudeau, Anandasangaree made history as Canada’s first Sri Lankan Tamil cabinet minister in 2023. 

 

His dual portfolio as MoJAG now positions him as a key figure in advancing justice and legal reforms in Canada while continuing his advocacy for global human rights.