Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree faced a storm of criticism in the House of Commons as he struggled to answer questions about his portfolio, just three weeks into the job.Anandasangaree, the sixth public safety minister in six years, was pressed repeatedly by Conservative MPs over key issues ranging from border security and firearms regulations to hate crimes and domestic violence. Blacklock's Reporter says at times, the minister appeared unprepared or unfamiliar with departmental facts and figures..Conservative MP Frank Caputo remarked during the 90-minute session that Liberal colleagues were seen handing Anandasangaree notes during questioning.“He is getting passed a note right now,” said Caputo.MP Michael Barrett questioned the minister on staffing levels at Canada’s land borders.“How many net new front line Canada Border Services Agency officers will be serving at land borders?” he asked. “We will have 1,000,” replied Anandasangaree..When asked when those officers would be deployed, he said operational details would follow “in short order.”Barrett continued with questions on fentanyl seizures and shipping container inspections, to which the minister repeatedly said he would provide information later.When asked how many firearms had been seized at borders, Anandasangaree responded only, “There have been a number.”Tensions rose further when MP Roman Baber questioned Anandasangaree about the term “intifada” and whether its use could be seen as incitement to violence.“Does the minister know the meaning of the word intifada?” asked Baber. “Yes,” replied Anandasangaree, but declined to define it, saying only, “It is something that is quite well known.”.Pressed on whether calling to “globalize the intifada” constitutes a call to violence, Anandasangaree said he would not respond directly but acknowledged antisemitism is a serious concern.MP Shelby Kramp-Neuman asked about federal efforts to address domestic violence. “Is intimate partner violence a priority for the government?” she asked. “Absolutely,” said the minister. But when asked how many sexual assaults were reported in 2021, Anandasangaree admitted, “Not exactly,” and said he had no ballpark estimate.On the issue of firearms, MP Gabriel Hardy asked if the minister had ever visited a shooting range. “No,” said Anandasangaree. Asked the projected cost of the federal firearms buyback program, he said, “No,” and did not clarify further..MP Andrew Lawton asked the minister how many weapons had been seized under the gun grab program. Anandasangaree said about 12,000 but could not say what the cost per firearm was.When Lawton asked if he had an RPAL — a restricted possession and acquisition license — the minister replied, “I do not.” He also said he was unfamiliar with the Canadian Firearms Safety Course, which is required for obtaining a licence.Lawton called Anandasangaree’s responses “shocking,” and criticized the minister’s lack of basic knowledge about firearms policy.“He’s the minister responsible for confiscating law-abiding firearms owners’ guns,” said Lawton. “He doesn’t know what the firearms safety course is. He doesn’t even know what a firearms licence is.”
