The Prime Minister’s Workplace and the Canada Border Providers Company say they weren’t “concerned” or “consulted” in a parliamentary secretary’s announcement of an obvious entry ban on the controversial Irish hip-hop group Kneecap, officers mentioned in new paperwork tabled Monday.
Liberal MP Vince Gasparro , the parliamentary secretary for combatting crime, mentioned in a video posted to X on Sept. 19 that the group was allegedly “advocating for political violence” and “glorifying terrorist organizations.” The video stays on-line.
He mentioned that “on behalf of the Authorities of Canada I’m saying that on the recommendation of our officers, now we have deemed the group Kneecap ineligible to enter our nation.”
In a response tabled within the Home of Commons to an order paper query by NDP MP Jenny Kwan in regards to the dealing with of the case, federal officers mentioned they weren’t concerned.
“The Canada Border Providers Company was not consulted relating to the announcement,” the company mentioned on behalf of Public Security Canada.
CBSA officers could be in command of administering and imposing an entry ban in opposition to any international people, in response to extra data supplied in that response from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Moreover, the Prime Minister’s Workplace responded that it too was “not concerned within the choice for the member of Eglinton—Lawrence to make the announcement,” utilizing the identify of Gasparro’s using.
Kwan informed International Information in an interview that “there are nonetheless loads of unanswered questions” after the federal government’s response.
“He (Gasparro) mentioned he obtained data from officers. So who’re these officers? Who licensed him to make this announcement? That’s nonetheless unclear,” she mentioned.
Requested for remark, Gasparro’s workplace referred to the IRCC’s statements within the authorities response.
“Mr. Gasparro has mentioned the whole lot that must be mentioned on the matter,” an emailed assertion mentioned.
Are band members really banned?
The IRCC’s portion of the response to Kwan says one member’s digital journey authorization (eTA) had been cancelled in August — a month earlier than Gasparro’s announcement — however that the cancellation “doesn’t preclude him from making use of once more.”
The response says that in August, Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh’s eTA was cancelled for inadmissibility “for omitting to reveal full and correct data on his utility,” and that he was notified of the choice.
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“He stays eligible to submit a brand new utility, which will probably be assessed by itself deserves,” the response says.
The response makes no point out of the since-dropped legal cost in opposition to Óg Ó hAnnaidh within the U.Okay. that accused him of flying a Hezbollah flag throughout a London live performance final yr, which Gasparro particularly cited as a purpose for the obvious entry ban.
The division provides the eTA functions of Kneecap’s different two members, John James Ó Dochartaigh and Naoise Ó Cairealláin, “are at present below overview” and that they have been knowledgeable in September “to not journey to Canada till receiving additional communication” from IRCC.
“How lengthy is that this overview course of going to take?” Kwan requested. “Is there a timeline that will be utilized to when a call could be made? Is that this a stalling tactic?
“This isn’t a transparent and clear course of. It’s not an accountable course of.”
In response to Kwan’s query on whether or not Kneecap’s members are allowed to enter Canada, the IRCC says, “Inadmissibility for non-compliance usually ends as soon as a consumer is not in a state of non-compliance” — suggesting no indefinite entry ban is in place.
The written response was tabled in Parliament on the ultimate day earlier than the required 45-day deadline to take action.
International Information has reached out to Kneecap’s administration for remark.
Who licensed Gasparro’s announcement?
Gasparro has refused to reply questions on who licensed him to make the announcement and whether or not the dropping of expenses would imply the band might come to Canada.
Conservative Deputy Chief Melissa Lantsman informed International Information in an interview final month that Gasparro “both doesn’t know what’s occurring inside his personal authorities or clearly lied.”
“I might suspect that in every other office you’ll be reprimanded for that,” she mentioned. “And on this case, you wouldn’t be a parliamentary secretary anymore.”
Lantsman mentioned she would assist a parliamentary investigation into the actions of Gasparro and the federal government within the matter, “to reveal what they aren’t telling us.”
Kwan, who referred to as Gasparro a “rogue Liberal MP” on social media, requested in a letter to Immigration Minister Lena Diab final month if there will probably be accountability if Gasparro acted unilaterally.
Kwan mentioned Monday she has but to obtain a response to that letter, and has requested a examine of the matter on the Home of Commons immigration committee.
Nonetheless, she is unable to go additional herself as she shouldn’t be a member of the committee, which Kwan mentioned has additionally not responded to her.
“If the Conservative members are fascinated about pursuing a solution and an open, clear authorities on this situation, they should really encourage my letter at committee,” she mentioned.
Kneecap — who’ve been vocal supporters of the Palestinian trigger and critics of Israel’s navy marketing campaign in Gaza — has mentioned it doesn’t promote Hamas, Hezbollah or every other terrorist group or advocate for violence in opposition to Jewish individuals.
Óg Ó hAnnaidh argued throughout his authorized case within the U.Okay. {that a} fan threw the Hezbollah flag in query onto the stage whereas the band carried out.
The Belfast group has vowed to take authorized motion in opposition to Gasparro, who in flip has mentioned he’s not involved a couple of lawsuit.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs and Jewish advocacy group B’nai Brith Canada, which had advocated for the ban, have praised the federal government for Gasparro’s announcement.
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