Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed his support for Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree amid calls from the Conservative party for Anandasangaree’s resignation following a leaked conversation with his tenant. Carney stated his confidence in the minister during a press conference at the United Nations, emphasizing the importance of the minister’s work.
The leaked audio recording captured Anandasangaree questioning the effectiveness of the Liberal government’s gun buyback program and implying that he would personally compensate a gun owner if they were dissatisfied with the government’s payment. Anandasangaree also suggested that municipal police may have limited resources to enforce the surrender of banned firearms.
The Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights circulated the recording, which was obtained without the minister’s knowledge. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called for Anandasangaree’s dismissal during the House of Commons question period.
Anandasangaree, in response, explained that he had a longstanding relationship with the tenant and was discussing a sensitive issue in advance of an upcoming announcement about the gun buyback program. He clarified that while his comments about compensating the gun owner were inappropriate, they were made in a non-serious context.
Anandasangaree affirmed his commitment to the gun buyback program during the announcement of a pilot project based in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He expressed confidence in the compliance of law-abiding citizens with the program and assured that law enforcement agencies would effectively enforce the law.
In light of the controversy, Anandasangaree maintained that the police would have the necessary resources to carry out their responsibilities in upholding the law, emphasizing Canada’s commitment to being a nation governed by the rule of law.
