The Prime Minister’s Workplace and the Canada Border Companies 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 concerning the dealing with of the case, federal officers mentioned they weren’t concerned.
“The Canada Border Companies Company was not consulted relating to the announcement,” the company mentioned on behalf of Public Security Canada.
CBSA officers can be answerable for administering and implementing an entry ban in opposition to any overseas people, in accordance with extra info 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 resolution for the member of Eglinton—Lawrence to make the announcement,” utilizing the title of Gasparro’s driving.
Kwan instructed International Information in an interview that “there are nonetheless numerous unanswered questions” after the federal government’s response.
“He (Gasparro) mentioned he acquired info from officers. So who’re these officers? Who approved 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 every part that must be mentioned on the matter,” an emailed assertion mentioned.
Are band members truly 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 info on his software,” and that he was notified of the choice.
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“He stays eligible to submit a brand new software, which will probably be assessed by itself deserves,” the response says.
The response makes no point out of the since-dropped felony 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 purposes 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 may be utilized to when a call can 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 typically ends as soon as a consumer is now 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 approved Gasparro’s announcement?
Gasparro has refused to reply questions on who approved him to make the announcement and whether or not the dropping of fees would imply the band might come to Canada.
Conservative Deputy Chief Melissa Lantsman instructed International Information in an interview final month that Gasparro “both doesn’t know what’s taking place inside his personal authorities or clearly lied.”
“I’d suspect that in some other office you’d 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 show what they don’t seem to be telling us.”
Kwan, who known 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 occupied with pursuing a solution and an open, clear authorities on this concern, they should truly inspire 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 some other terrorist group or advocate for violence in opposition to Jewish folks.
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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