NDP MP calls for probe into statement banning Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap

OTTAWA — A federal New Democrat is calling for a parliamentary committee to probe what led a parliamentary secretary to announce that an Irish hip-hop group had been banned from entering Canada. 

Jenny Kwan, the NDP MP for Vancouver East, has penned an open letter addressed to the Liberal chair of the parliamentary committee on citizenship and immigration, urging it to look into what she calls “serious procedural and accountability issues” surrounding the Sept. 19 announcement by Liberal MP and parliamentary secretary, Vince Gasparro.

In a video posted to X, Gasparro announced that, “on behalf of the Government of Canada,” the Irish hip-hop trio, Kneecap, had been banned from entering Canada, saying its members had “engaged in actions” and made statements that Gasparro called “contrary to Canadian values and laws.”

“While the band has indicated publicly that they have not received communication or confirmation of that fact from (Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada) due to the announcement from MP Gasparro, several concerts in Canada have currently been cancelled,” reads the letter from Kwan, which was sent late Friday to the committee clerk.

Kwan, who has brought the issue to the House of Commons during question period, said that neither Gasparro nor Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab has provided clarity about why the announcement was made or whether a ban is in place.

Gasparro has previously told reporters that he was acting on information that had been made available to him by officials, but referred any remaining questions to the government. 

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, a national advocacy group, welcomed his announcement at the time, after having launched an “action alert” back in July about the trio’s upcoming performances, citing concerns that included one of its members’ alleged display of a Hezbollah flag during a 2024 performance.  

That resulted in a terrorism charge against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who goes by the stage name, Mo Chara, which a U.K. judge recently dropped on the basis that the charge had been filed passed the required timeframe.

In her letter, Kwan, who is not a member of the committee because the federal NDP lacks official party status, said the incident “raises very serious questions about procedural fairness” and a potential misuse of authority.

Kwan said the announcement raises questions about the “discretion” that can be exercised by a minister or parliamentary secretary when it comes to cases involving performing artists, as well as the criteria the immigration department uses to deny entry to Canada, when no criminal record is present.

She wrote that the incident also touches on issues surrounding how such announcements can be made, as well as “the need to ensure that discretionary decisions respect the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canada’s international obligations, particularly regarding freedom of artistic expression.”

“To that end, I respectfully urge the committee to look into this matter,” Kwan wrote.

“Ministerial accountability includes the role of parliamentary secretary. It is critical that Canadians and the international community are reassured due process is safeguarded, so that public trust in the fairness and integrity of our immigration and cultural exchange policies is (reassured,)” her letter read.

Kwan said looking into the matter would also provide clarity to Canadians who bought tickets to see the band play in Toronto and Vancouver.

National Post

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