On May 13, 2019, Jenny stood in Question Period to ask why the prime minister won't withdraw changes to Canada's asylum system hidden in the Budget Bill C-97. It's clear that no gender-based analysis of these proposed changes was done, and now 46 women's organizations from across Canada sent an open letter to the Prime Minister condemning these changes:
Jenny Kwan (NDP) Vancouver East, BC
"Mr. Speaker, the changes to the asylum system the Prime Minister tried to sneak through in the omnibus budget bill show his true colours.
Despite Liberal promises, there was no gender-based analysis done. When experts pointed this out at the immigration committee, government members had no answers. The changes will disproportionately impact women and girls fleeing violence by denying their right to seek protection in Canada. Forty-six women's organizations from across Canada sent an open letter to the Prime Minister condemning these changes.
Will the Prime Minister do what is right and withdraw these provisions, or is he just content that his version of feminism is just for show?"
June 10, 2025 - Ottawa, ON - MP Jenny Kwan joined Mr. Sebastian Lai, son of imprisoned Hong Kong pro-democracy leader and publisher Jimmy Lai, members of Jimmy Lai's legal team, and a cross-party group of MPs to speak at an All-Party Parliamentary Press Conference for Jimmy Lai.
As world leaders prepared to gather for the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, MP Jenny Kwan, along with other MPs and Senators from all parties called on Canada’s delegation to the talks to champion freedom for Jimmy Lai, one of the world’s most high-profile political prisoners and a man with close ties to Canada.
Jenny also asked the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in Parliament the previous day: Will Canada grant honorary citizenship to Jimmy Lai? This isn't a private case - it's a human rights issue. The minister must stop hiding behind excuses. It's time for Canada to take a stand. The Minister has the ministerial authority to do so and should act immediately ahead of the G7 Summit.
