The PMO and CBSA said they were not part of the announcement of Knecap’s entry – nationally
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 department said.
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.
Are the band members actually banned?
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.”
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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.
“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.
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 Kwan, Gasparro and Kneecap’s management 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.
His office previously shared with the world news that Kwan, a critic of the NDP’s Fichnation, would throw the House of Commons Committees study.
More to come…
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