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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised that 2015 will be the last election held under the outdated first-past-the-post system.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.

HANSARD: Budget speech and debate

Click below to read Jenny's budget speech and debate

HANSARD: Will the Prime Minister acknowledge that this is a pipeline to nowhere and stop wasting everyone's time with this political posturing?

Canadian Press: CBSA, PMO say they were not involved in MP announcing ban on Belfast band Kneecap

OTTAWA — The Canada Border Services Agency and the Prime Minister's Office say they were not involved in an Ontario Liberal MP's announcement that members of the Belfast band Kneecap were banned from entering Canada.

Vince Gasparro, parliamentary secretary for combating crime, released a social media video in September announcing the ban in response to allegations that Kneecap had been inciting violence and glorifying terrorism.

In a written order paper question in the House of Commons, NDP MP Jenny Kwan asked who authorized the video and if members of Kneecap are allowed into Canada.

Click image or link to read the news story - https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/national-news/cbsa-pmo-say-they-were-not-involved-in-mp-announcing-ban-on-belfast-band-kneecap-11538150

Global News: PMO and CBSA say they weren’t part of Kneecap entry ban announcement

The Prime Minister’s Office and the Canada Border Services Agency say they were not “involved” or “consulted” in a parliamentary secretary’s announcement of an apparent entry ban on the controversial Irish hip-hop group Kneecap, officials said in new documents tabled Monday.

Liberal MP Vince Gasparro , the parliamentary secretary for combatting crime, said in a video posted to X on Sept. 19 that the group was allegedly “advocating for political violence” and “glorifying terrorist organizations.” The video remains online.

He said that “on behalf of the Government of Canada I am announcing that on the advice of our officials, we have deemed the group Kneecap ineligible to enter our country.”

In a response tabled in the House of Commons to an order paper question by NDP MP Jenny Kwan about the handling of the case, federal officials said they were not involved.

“The Canada Border Services Agency was not consulted regarding the announcement,” the agency said on behalf of Public Safety Canada.

CBSA officials would be in charge of administering and enforcing an entry ban against any foreign individuals, according to additional information provided in that response from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Additionally, the Prime Minister’s Office responded that it too was “not involved in the decision for the member of Eglinton—Lawrence to make the announcement,” using the name of Gasparro’s riding.

Kwan told Global News in an interview that “there are still a lot of unanswered questions” after the government’s response.

Click image or link to read the news story - https://globalnews.ca/news/11541275/kneecap-entry-ban-canada-pmo-cbsa-ircc-gasparro/

Government reply to Jenny's Order Questions on Kneecap's travel ban

Privy Council Office
Reply by: the Prime Minister of Canada
Name of Signatory: Rachel Bendayan, P.C., M.P.
Reply

(i) was the Prime Minister’s Office involved in the decision for the member for Eglinton—Lawrence to make the announcement?

The Prime Minister’s Office was not involved in the decision for the member for Eglinton—Lawrence to make the announcement.

Public Safety Canada
Reply by: the Minister of Public Safety
Name of Signatory: Jacques Ramsay, Parliamentary Secretary
Reply

Canada Border Services Agency

(g) was the member for Eglinton—Lawrence authorized to announce that members of the musical group Kneecap were ineligible to enter the country, and, if so, who authorized the announcement and was this decision formally communicated to Kneecap by government officials?

The Canada Border Services Agency was not implicated in the authorization of the announcement.

(h) did government officials advise the member for Eglinton—Lawrence regarding the ban of Kneecap, and, if so, which department were the officials from?

The Canada Border Services Agency did not provide advice on the announcement.

(m) was there any consultation with other federal departments or agencies, including, but not limited to, Public Safety Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency and Global Affairs Canada, or third parties such as stakeholder groups prior to, or following, the announcement made by the member for Eglinton—Lawrence regarding Kneecap, and, if so, what was the response?

The Canada Border Services Agency was not consulted regarding the announcement.

Click below to read the full Response

CPAC: NDP MP Jenny Kwan Comments on Possible Alberta Pipeline Deal

NDP MP Jenny Kwan faces questions from reporters on Parliament Hill on reports of talks between Alberta, Saskatchewan and the federal government over the development of a new pipeline. The negotiations, which British Columbia was not a part of, pertain to the possibility of a new bitumen pipeline from Alberta to the north coast of B.C.

Click image or link to watch the video - https://www.cpac.ca/scrums/episode/ndp-mp-jenny-kwan-comments-on-possible-alberta-pipeline-deal--november-21-2025?id=cf32f588-afc9-4307-9975-9f5d1dc1c814

CPAC VIDEO: NDP MPs Speak with Reporters Following Vote on the Federal Budget

“We have decided to put the interests of our country first—to vote against the budget but to help prevent an election,” NDP interim leader Don Davies tells reporters after government’s budget motion narrowly passes in the House of Commons with two NDP MPs abstaining.

Click link to watch the video - https://www.cpac.ca/headline-politics/episode/ndp-mps-comment-after-vote-on-federal-budget--november-17-2025?id=319439af-072b-4573-99f8-1dd509d7a0eb

HANSARD: Will the Prime Minister tell Canadians what programs are being cut and how people in our communities will be impacted?

Canada Press: Federal officials are not sure when immigration levels plan is coming

NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan said it’s “unacceptable” that the plan could come after the Nov. 1 deadline.

“Communities, newcomers, and settlement agencies are left in limbo, unsure of what impact of the levels plan will have for Canadians and newcomers. This delay shows a lack of transparency and accountability from a government that claims to value immigration but can’t even meet its own deadlines, defined by law,” Kwan said in an emailed statement.

Bernhard said most people receiving permanent residency are already in Canada, usually on either a work or study permit. He said the system needs certainty in order to attract global talent to the workforce.

Click link to read the news story - https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/federal-officials-are-not-sure-when-immigration-levels-plan-is-coming/

Parliament VIDEO: Restoring justice for lost Canadians

🇨🇦 Restoring justice for lost Canadians

In the House of Commons, I spoke on my amendments to Bill C-3 — amendments that would restore the bill to its original form and right a historic wrong.

More than a decade ago, the Conservatives stripped children of Canadian parents born abroad of their right to pass on citizenship to their own children — creating two classes of Canadians, separating families, and even rendering some stateless.

The Ontario Superior Court has since ruled that these laws are unconstitutional. My amendments would make Canada’s citizenship laws charter-compliant, restore equality, and end discrimination against second-generation Canadians born abroad.

No Canadian should ever be treated as lesser because they live, work, or study overseas. Citizenship is a birthright — not a privilege based on geography or politics.