The Prime Minister’s Office and the Canada Border Services Agency say they were not “involved” or “consulted” in the parliamentary secretary’s announcement of an apparent ban on Indian Hip-Hop group Kneecap, officials said in a statement Monday.
Liberal MP Vince Gasparro, the Parliamentary Secretary for the fight against crime, said in a video sent to X on September 19 that the group is said to “tolerate political violence” and “glorify terrorist organizations.” Video lives on the Internet.
He said “on behalf of the Government of Canada, I announce that on the advice of our officials, we have decided to enter our country through the existing party.”
In a response sent to the House of Commons Order Avoid Question by NDP MP Jenny Kwan about the handling of the case, federal officials say they are not involved.
“The Canada Border Services Agency has not commented on the announcement,” the agency said on behalf of Public Safety Canada.
The CBSA authorities will be responsible for managing and enforcing the entry ban on any foreign nationals, according to additional information provided in that response from Immigrants, Refugees and Canadian Citizens (IRCC).
In addition, the Prime Minister’s office responds that “it was” not involved in the decision of the member of Eglinton – Lawrence to make the announcement, “using the name of the riding of Gasparro.
Kan told world media in an interview that “there are still many unanswered questions” after the government’s response.
“You (Gasparro) said you got information from officials. So who are these officials? Who authorized him to make this announcement? That is still unclear,” he said.
The IRCC’s part of Kwan’s response states that Elektronik’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) was canceled in August – a month before Gasporro’s announcement – but that the cancellation “does not prevent him from re-operating.”
The response is that in August, Ldeecap member Liam ó laannaidh’s eta was canceled for receiving information to “release complete and accurate information at his request,” and that he was informed of the decision.
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“You are always eligible to submit a new plan, which will be evaluated on its merits,” said the answer.
The answer is meaningless in terms of a serious crime against óg
The department adds the use of ETA for two other members of Kneecap, John James ó Dochartaigh and Naoaise ó Caireallán, “currently not informed in September” not to import into Canada until they receive more communication “from IRCC.
“How long will this review process take?” Kwan asked. “Is there a timeline that will be used when a decision will be made?
“This is not a clear and transparent process. It is not a responsive process.”
In response to Kwan’s question about Kneecap members being allowed to enter Canada, the IRCC says, “Non-adherence usually ends when the client stops following” – suggesting there is no illegal entry.
A written response was sent to Parliament on the last day before the required 45-day deadline to do so.
Global News has reached out to Phasparro and Kneecap for comment.
Who approved Gasporro’s declaration?
Gasparro declined to answer questions about who authorized the announcement and whether the drop in costs would mean the band could come to Canada.
Deputy Speaker of the House Melissa Lantman told world news in an interview last month that Gasparpo “either doesn’t know what’s going on in his government or he’s flat out lying.”
“I would suspect that in any other place you would suspect that,” he said. “And this time, you wouldn’t be the secretary of Parliament.”
Lantman said he would support a parliamentary investigation into the actions of Gasparro and the government on this matter, “to reveal what they are not telling us.”
Kwan, who called Gasparro a “Rogue Liberes MP” on Social Media, asking in a letter to the Minister of Liferation Lena Ntrayiva last month if Gasparro is doing unilateraly.
KWAAN said on Monday that it is yet to receive a response to that letter, and has requested a reading of the matter in the House of Commons Immigration Committee.
However, he can’t continue with his since he is not a member of the Committee, which Kwan says is not responsive either.
“If conservative members want to pursue an answer to open, transparent government in this magazine, they need to actually promote my letter to the committee,” he said.
Kneecap – who are vocal supporters of the Palestinian cause and critics of Israel’s military in Gaza – said it does not support Hamas, Hezbollah or any terrorist group or advocate violence against Jewish people.
óg ó Hannaidh argued during his legal time in the UK that a fan threw the hezbollah flag in question on stage while the band was performing.
The Belfast club have vowed to take legal action against Gasparro, who has said he does not care about the case.
The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs and the Jewish organization B’nai Brith Canada, which had promoted the ban, praised the government for Gasporro’s announcement.
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