Government Accountability

Canadians need and deserve a government that is on their side, a government that works for the people, and not for the profits of corporations and the ultra-wealthy. With the rise of global conflict and authoritarianism, climate-related environmental disasters, and an ever-deepening wealth disparity, Canadians need a government that is focused on making their lives better more than ever.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised that 2015 will be the last election held under the outdated first-past-the-post system. It is past time for Canadians to have a modern proportional representation system and a strong democracy to better ensure that every vote counts. We must also lower the voting age so that young people who will be most impacted by the decisions we make today have their voices heard.

As your representative, I will work every day to amplify the voices of Van East and to hold the government accountable, and to push them to do more for Canadians.

Canadian Press: Public deserves answers on Canada-China policing agreement, New Democrat MP says

OTTAWA - NDP public safety critic Jenny Kwan says Canadians deserve to know what information the RCMP is sharing under an agreement with China's Ministry of Public Security.

In an open letter, Kwan urged Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand to disclose the full text of the memorandum of understanding.

Kwan said in the letter she wants to know if safeguards are in place to prevent Canadian information from being used against dissidents, human rights defenders, journalists or diaspora communities.

She also said she wonders what oversight mechanisms exist to ensure compliance with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canadian privacy laws.

Public statements indicate the memorandum concerns co-operation on transnational crime, cybercrime, narcotics, corruption and the establishment of bilateral law enforcement working groups, Kwan noted in her letter dated May 12.

She said the fact the text is being kept under wraps has created widespread uncertainty and legitimate concerns among Canadians, particularly within Hong Kong, Uyghur, Tibetan and broader Chinese diaspora communities dealing with transnational repression by Beijing.

*Click image or link to read the news story - https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/politics/public-deserves-answers-on-canada-china-policing-agreement-new-democrat-mp-says/article_fe866794-7ba8-57bc-8957-2b482a860eb2.html

HANSARD: Question on Liberals quietly slashing $5 billion from promised transit funding to local governments

HANSARD: Debate Bill C-22, Lawful Access Act

*Click [ Read more ] to read Jenny's full speech

HOUSE VIDEO: NDP Public Safety Critic Jenny Kwan responds to Bill C-22

Click image or link to watch the speech and debate video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUy8kMvEXKg

HANSARD: Debating Bill C-22 Lawful Access Act

*Click [ Read more ] to read Jenny's speech

HANSARD: Accountability on 5% GDP defence spending

CBC News: Opposition parties grapple with new reality of Liberal majority government

The morning after the Liberals secured a thin majority government, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Prime Minister Mark Carney has no more excuses if he doesn't deliver for Canadians.

"The Liberals wanted a majority — well, absolute power comes with absolute responsibility," the leader of the Official Opposition told the House of Commons on Tuesday.

"They will actually have to get things done. They will have to do so without blaming others and they will have to start now."

A Liberal majority leaves less room for the smaller parties as well. Even with a reduced caucus after last year's election, the NDP was able to sway some votes in the minority Parliament.

NDP MP Jenny Kwan said she hopes the new Liberal MPs will "stand up and speak truth to power" in the House, rather than just toeing the party line.

"There's a reason why I entered into politics and it is to fight for people," Kwan said during a news conference.

Click image or link to read the news story - https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/opposition-parties-majority-government-9.7163603

Canadian Press: Axworthy, Rock call on foreign affairs minister to do more to safeguard arms exports

OTTAWA - Former senior Liberal cabinet ministers say they have "deep concern" about the federal government's decision not to pass legislation aiming to close what they consider a regulatory gap in arms exports.

Former Liberal foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy and former justice minister and ambassador to the United Nations Allan Rock recently wrote a letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand urging more stringent rules and safeguards.

Legislation introduced by NDP MP Jenny Kwan sought to change rules that allow Washington to send Canadian arms to countries that would otherwise be blocked. The private member's bill she tabled in September followed attempts by Washington to purchase Canadian weapons for Israel, despite a Canadian ban on exports of various types of weapons to that country.

Click image or link to read the full news story - https://www.thecanadianpressnews.ca/business/axworthy-rock-call-on-foreign-affairs-minister-to-do-more-to-safeguard-arms-exports/article_f54b04dc-eb0d-5b3d-9def-4e4c203b0b9a.html

OPEN LETTER: Rock/Axworthy rebutting government claims against C-233

OPEN LETTER: Elected Member of European Parliament denied entry to Canada

I’ve issued an open letter to the Ministers of Immigration & Public Safety regarding the unjust denial of entry to MEP Rima Hassan. This last-minute reversal of her eTA raises grave concerns about political neutrality & freedom of expression in Canada.I am calling for an immediate explanation & for the Ministers to facilitate her entry to allow for scheduled democratic exchange