MP Jenny Kwan, the NDP public safety critic, also wrote to Carney on Wednesday calling for the government to list the Bishnoi gang as a terrorist group. She urged Carney to suspend any security and intelligence-sharing agreements with India.
June 18th, 2025
Statement by NDP Leader Don Davies
“I have the good fortune of working with six incredible NDP MPs from across the country. They are all strong voices advocating for working people and their communities in Parliament. It is an honour to be on a team with these MPs.
I also deeply appreciate the trust that our Federal Council has placed in me to lead our party as we prepare to select a new leader.
As a political process, the selection of an interim leader is an opportunity to unite New Democrats. It is important to me that the decision of our Federal Council has the full support of our parliamentary caucus. To ensure that all in our caucus feel they are accorded the respect within the process they are due, this morning I submitted my leadership to the ratification of our full caucus.
I am pleased to report that I have received their unanimous endorsement as interim leader.
I am deeply grateful for their support and pledge that I will work diligently with them to advance the progressive policies and values that are so important to working families across our nation.
In addition, this morning our caucus requested our Caucus Chair to administer the votes prescribed under section 49 of the Parliament of Canada Act - the so-called Chong bill - so that I and my caucus colleagues could consider how we can be more accountable to each other.
By majority vote, Caucus chose to adopt sections 49.2 and 49.3, regarding expulsion and readmission of caucus members, and section 49.4, regarding election of caucus chair. By majority vote, Caucus declined to adopt section 49.5 (1) to (3), regarding leadership review.
Over the past 4 weeks, NDP MPs have already proved in the current Parliament that we punch far above our weight.
Notable achievements so far include the following:
- Passing a sub-amendment to the Speech from the Throne respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples in determining Canada's economic future: MP Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East)
- Tabling the first Private Members' Bill: C-201 An Act to amend the Canada Health Act (mental, addictions and substance use health services), MP Gord Johns (Courtenay - Alberni)
- Securing an Emergency Debate on wildfires in Manitoba and Saskatchewan: MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre)
- Tabling the first Private Members' Motion: calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood: MP Heather McPherson (Edmonton Strathcona)
- Advocating for the full implementation of Jordan's Principle and Inuit Child First Initiative, and pressing for an Emergency Debate in the House of Commons: MP Lori Idlout (Nunavut)
- Fighting against unfair government interference in collective bargaining at Canada Post: MP Alexandre Boulerice (Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie)
- Tabling amendments so that many marginalized Canadians, including those living with disabilities, are not hurt by tax cuts: MP Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway)
As a strong and united caucus dedicated to building a Canada that works for everyone, we look forward to continuing to hold this government to account while offering positive, effective and constructive proposals to make life better for all Canadians.”
The bill would give CSIS and the police, or a “public officer,” the power to demand the basic information without a warrant if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a crime could be committed, or that any breach of a law passed by Parliament may take place. A draft form for making the information demand says to help with the investigation of an offence, the information must be provided “as soon as possible.”
The bill would gag the provider from saying they had received such a demand.
“With these powers, any official tasked with enforcing a federal law could go to the company you rented a car from or the hotel you stayed at and paint a detailed picture of your activities simply by confirming the various companies you interacted with,” said Tamir Israel, director of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association’s privacy, surveillance and technologies program.
“Even health providers could face secret demands and would need to hire a lawyer and challenge these in court within five days of receiving them if they wished to avoid revealing that you are their client.”
NDP MP Jenny Kwan, the party’s public safety and immigration critic, called the bill a step toward a surveillance state. “This could allow police to approach any doctor or service provider to find out what other services someone is using—without a warrant,” she said. “Even landlords could be compelled to disclose private information.”
Kwan also criticized the government’s lack of transparency, noting that no Charter analysis has been published for Bill C-2—despite being standard practice since the last election. “Canadians who voted for Mark Carney never signed up for this,” she added.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
13.6.2025
NDP Calls on PM Carney to Demand Indian PM Modi’s Full Cooperation with Canadian Law Enforcement into Targeted Killings and Surveillance in Canada at G-7
OTTAWA – Today, NDP MP Jenny Kwan called on PM Mark Carney to challenge Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G-7 directly over India’s refusal to cooperate with Canadian law enforcement investigations into multiple acts of foreign interference—including murder and surveillance.
In 2023, Canadian authorities publicly linked the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar—a Sikh community leader in Surrey, B.C.—to agents of the Indian government. Since then, India has refused to assist the RCMP in its criminal investigation. Now, alarming new revelations from Global News indicate that former NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh was placed under RCMP protection after being targeted for surveillance by a suspected Indian government agent with ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi criminal network.
“These are Canadian lives under threat and targeted for violence. The Prime Minister must use the G7 summit to demand full cooperation from Modi on Canadian soil, in front of the world,” said Jenny Kwan.
The agent who tracked Singh reportedly had access to personal information about his family, his travel, and his daily routine. Singh’s case is part of a growing pattern of Indian interference targeting members of the Sikh diaspora and critics of the Modi government—activities that violate Canada’s sovereignty and national security.
“We cannot allow political leaders to be surveilled, community leaders to be murdered, and foreign agents to operate with impunity in this country,” said Kwan. “If Prime Minister Carney won’t challenge Modi now—at this global forum, with the world watching—then when will he?”
The NDP is calling on the Prime Minister to:
- Demand full cooperation from the Indian Prime Minister Modi in the Nijjar investigation and other open cases;
- Demand accountability for the surveillance of Jagmeet Singh and other Canadians;
- Commit to reporting to Parliament India’s role in extrajudicial killings and other criminal acts on Canadian soil;
- Take concrete steps to protect Canadian communities from transnational repression,including providing security to civilians; and
- Take immediate action to put in place the Foreign Agent Registry.
Kwan also asked the following question in Parliament on the eve of the G7 Summit, with reply from the Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Secretary:
Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister and Pierre Poilievre both want to roll out the red carpet for Prime Minister Modi to attend the G7 summit in Canada, knowing Modi refused to co-operate with the RCMP in the investigation of the murder of Nijjar and other homicides on Canadian soil.
The Prime Minister will not say if he knew Jagmeet Singh's life was in danger and was under surveillance by gang members suspected of working for the Indian government. Poilievre's excuse is that he refused to get the security clearance, but the Prime Minister has none.
Will the Prime Minister rescind the invitation and demand India's full co-operation in the Nijjar murder and other cases?
Hon. Robert Oliphant (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the member has raised several issues at the same time. Let me just say the G7 is a huge opportunity for Canada to exercise leadership on the world stage. Our sovereignty, our security and prosperity are tied to global security.
At the same time, Canada is a country of the rule of law. We have cases before the RCMP.
We will continue to have those investigations. We will continue to ensure Canadians are safe at home and abroad.
Bill C-5 undermines the democratic process, the rights of Indigenous Peoples, the rights and safety of workers, and critical environmental protections.
Through Bill C-5, Carney is using the threat of Trump's tariffs to provide Cabinet and Ministers with overreaching powers to eliminate environmental oversight, violate Constitutional obligations to Indigenous peoples, and lower labour standards for workers throughout Canada.
There is no doubt that the unjustified and illegal trade war initiated by Trump opens an opportunity to buy and build more of what we need at home and make sure workers and Indigenous people benefit.
Although Part 1 of C-5 deserves positive consideration, we have many grave concerns about part two of Bill C-5. That is why the NDP will oppose fast-tracking this legislation and will oppose this bill in its current form.
The Carney Liberal government introduced Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, as their first piece of legislation in the House of Commons after the federal election. This Bill is supposed to appease Trump with his delusional claims on fentanyl trafficking against Canada. Instead of elbows up, speaking truth to power, he is bending a knee to Trump.
Worst still, this legislation intends to align Canada with the US's refugee policies - it is an anti-immigrant and anti-refugee bill that goes against Canadian values and historically progressive policies. Due process and administrative fairness are tossed out the window. Oversight and accountability - non-existent.
This Act will result in a mass deportation by administrative means, rather than law enforcement. It prevents persecuted individuals from applying for asylum in Canada. It will result in the same outcome, putting thousands of people into precarious and vulnerable situations. It also upends privacy laws and creates a backdoor to accessing the private data of individuals. This legislation is a direct attack on civil liberties. The NDP will work with civil society, refugee and immigration organizations to actively oppose this draconian legislation. This is an excellent summary from the Guardian on Bill C-2:
Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, who has a background in asylum and human rights law, said he would never advance a bill that threatens civil liberties.
"It needed to be in line with the values of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms," he said the day the bill was tabled. "I fundamentally believe that we can strike a balance that, while expanding powers in certain instances, does have the safeguards and the protections in place like protecting individual freedoms or rights."
The NDP's Kwan isn't convinced.
"I know the minister says this and believes it," she said. "But in reality, if you look at the bill, the minister is creating a situation where your personal info is being disclosed without your consent."
A drive to grant jailed Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai honorary Canadian citizenship is on hold after the Liberal MP spearheading the move was told by her government’s House leader to shelve the motion just before she was about to present it.
The MP, Judy Sgro, had already gained the support of MPs from all parties for a unanimous-consent motion that raised the plight of Mr. Lai, who has been held in solitary confinement for 4½ years.
The motion was seen as a symbolic gesture by Canada to bolster support for Mr. Lai before the G7 leaders’ summit in Alberta this weekend.
Ms. Sgro said she was not given a clear explanation for the government’s move. She said she plans to persevere with the motion.
She was approached by Steven MacKinnon, the Government House Leader, on Wednesday and told that she could not present it.
NDP MP Jenny Kwan, who was born in Hong Kong, said Immigration Minister Lena Diab has the power to grant Mr. Lai honorary citizenship and should do so before the G7 summit, when world leaders are gathering.
“She should do it right now and absolutely before the G7,” she said. “The whole idea is to get it in front of the international community.”