Federal Conservatives say they need the Liberal authorities to obviously clarify whether or not the controversial Irish hip-hop group Kneecap is barred from getting into Canada or not as questions swirl concerning the case.
Liberal MP Vince Gasparro, the parliamentary secretary for combating crime, introduced practically two weeks in the past “on behalf of the Authorities of Canada” that the band’s members had been deemed ineligible for entry forward of scheduled live shows this month.
But the group says it has nonetheless not acquired official discover about being barred or any rejection of their digital journey authorizations, which Irish residents require in an effort to enter Canada and which the group says they obtained.
Gasparro and different cupboard officers have refused to supply readability within the days for the reason that announcement.
“He both lied or he has no clue the way it works,” Conservative Deputy Chief Melissa Lantsman informed International Information in an interview. “And I discover it laborious to imagine that he has no clue the way it works.”
Lantsman recommended Conservatives would assist an investigation into whether or not Gasparro’s announcement was made with out information of different authorities departments, together with the Prime Minister’s Workplace and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
“Now we have a parliamentary secretary that, once more, both doesn’t know what’s what’s occurring inside his personal authorities or clearly lied,” she mentioned. “I might suspect that in another office you’ll be reprimanded for that. And on this case, you wouldn’t be a parliamentary secretary anymore.
“We actually wish to know if the parliamentary secretary lied to Canadians. That’s a part of our job because the opposition: not solely to oppose the federal government the place it is sensible … but in addition to reveal what they don’t seem to be telling us.”
In his video announcement on Sept. 19, Gasparro cited a U.Ok. terrorism-related cost towards Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh as a purpose for denying entry to Canada. A British decide tossed out the legal case final Friday, however Gasparro has not mentioned if the obvious entry ban stays in place.
A spokesperson for Gasparro’s workplace mentioned he had “no additional remark” in an electronic mail Wednesday and deferred inquiries to IRCC, after making an analogous touch upon Friday.
Get each day Nationwide information
Get the day’s prime information, political, financial, and present affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox as soon as a day.
Immigration Minister Lena Diab didn’t cease to reply questions from reporters on Kneecap’s case whereas heading into the Liberal caucus assembly in Ottawa on Wednesday.
An IRCC spokesperson informed International Information on Monday it couldn’t touch upon Kneecap’s particular case because of privateness causes and didn’t affirm whether or not a proper entry ban was put in place, or if one stays.
The division’s assertion mentioned that candidates for digital journey authorizations “are knowledgeable of their visa standing by means of the e-mail offered on their functions.”
That line was added to the division’s official messaging on Kneecap’s case by a spokesperson for Diab’s workplace, International Information realized after being included on an inside electronic mail trade Monday.
Requested Wednesday by International Information if Kneecap’s members or its crew have heard something from the Canadian authorities on its entry standing past Gasparro’s announcement, band supervisor Daniel Lambert replied in an electronic mail: “Not a factor.”
In a social media message responding to Gasparro’s video, Kneecap mentioned its members had already been issued legitimate digital journey authorizations.
“It might be good to listen to from the federal government on what their place is,” Lantsman mentioned. “Clearly, that they’re not coordinated on this and so they don’t have a solution.”
The Prime Minister’s Workplace has not responded to questions on Gasparro or Kneecap’s immigration case.
A spokesperson for Public Security Minister Gary Anandasangaree’s workplace declined to remark Monday when requested by International Information if Gasparro consulted with the minister earlier than his announcement, and in addition deferred inquiries to IRCC.
Lantsman mentioned the confusion has undermined the Liberals’ dedication to preventing antisemitism and hate speech.
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.
“Conservatives have been crystal clear on our place on antisemitism, and clearly the Liberals haven’t,” Lantsman mentioned. “We’ve maintained a robust stance, together with on the refusal (of Kneecap) to enter the nation, and we ask the place the Liberals stand on this.”
Kneecap has accused critics of attempting to silence the band due to its assist for the Palestinian trigger all through the Israeli army’s destruction of Gaza.
The U.Ok. terror cost, which was dismissed after a British courtroom mentioned it had been laid too late, got here after authorities had alleged Óg Ó hAnnaidh waved a flag of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah throughout a London live performance final 12 months.
Hezbollah is a listed terrorist group in each the U.Ok. and Canada.
The band says it doesn’t assist Hezbollah and Hamas, nor condone violence.
© 2025 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
