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iPolitics: Feds introduce border security bill to address ‘irritants’ for White House

NDP MP Jenny Kwan, the party’s critic for immigration and public safety, said the bill “should be alarming to many Canadians.”

“What we’re looking at is the government giving authority, broad-sweeping authority within government to cancel applications, to withdraw applications, to suspend applications, even those that are already in the inventory that is under process,” Kwan said of the proposed changes to the immigration system. “The other thing that the bill would enable is for people’s private information to be shared, and much of this authority is not prescribed in the legislation, but rather it will come out later on by regulation. So, that is to say we actually don’t even know how it is going to work.”

“I am very concerned that people’s privacies would be breeched. I’m very concerned that those who have submitted claims in the immigration system will, all of a sudden, find their application being withdrawn. And so, these are some of the measures that the government is bringing forward with this bill.”

The Conservatives did not respond to iPolitics‘ questions regarding whether they would support the proposed legislation.

Global News: Canada aims to tighten asylum rules, combat fentanyl with new border bill

NDP public safety critic Jenny Kwan took particular issue with the proposed government powers to suspend immigration applications and enhanced information sharing, which she called “alarming,” as well as the lack of a clear appeals process.

“They’re putting in all kinds of limitations, really trying to effectively prevent people from accessing asylum claims here in Canada,” she told reporters in Ottawa.

“Canada may as well just say to the international community, ‘We no longer support asylum seekers.’ They may as well just be honest about that.”

OPEN LETTER: To Prime Minister and Housing Minister on Affordable Housing Commitment Details

BBC: Canada proposes sweeping immigration and security bill

Jenny Kwan, a member of parliament from the left-leaning New Democratic Party, said the bill "should be alarming to many Canadians".
A big chunk of the new legislation deals with curbing the flow of fentanyl and illegal weapons across the US-Canada border - an issue that US President Donald Trump has used as justification for his tariffs on Canada.

Canadian Press: Federal bill includes new security powers to tighten border, immigration system

NDP public safety and immigration critic Jenny Kwan disagreed with the minister, saying the bill "should be alarming to many Canadians" because it would allow the government to breach civil liberties.

Kwan said she was particularly concerned about the planned powers to share immigration-related information and cancel applications already in the system.

She said a prospective newcomer to Canada could follow the required steps and "out of the blue, after this bill passes, the government can then just decide, 'I'm sorry, I'm just going to withdraw your application. I'm going to suspend your application. I'm just going to deny your application.'

"Is that striking a fair balance of civil liberties? I think not."

 

ICIJ: Canadian lawmakers urge action against international regression in wake of China Targets probe

International Consortium of Investigative Journalists: Members of Parliament have called on the newly elected government to enforce a law against transnational repression following reports of Chinese authorities targeting Canadian residents.

Jenny Kwan, a member of the left-leaning New Democratic Party who herself is an “evergreen” target of the Chinese government according to Canda’s intelligence agency, told ICIJ media partner CBC News that countering transnational repression has become an urgent matter.

“In light of the CBC investigation and the reports that have now come out, you would think that this would be a priority for the government,” Kwan, who was born in Hong Kong, said in an interview. “But so far, I have yet to hear the prime minister say foreign interference, transnational repression is a top priority for them.”

CPAC VIDEO: Scrum on Government's Bill C-2 Strong Borders Act

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MEDIA RELEASE: Parliament Passes MP Jenny Kwan Sub-Amendment to Include Indigenous Peoples in Motion Calling on Government to Provide Immediate Economic Update

Ottawa, ON – Today, the House of Commons passed Vancouver-East NDP MP Jenny Kwan's amendment calling for explicit inclusion of Indigenous peoples as part of a motion requesting the federal government present a full economic update or budget before Parliament rises for the summer recess.

Kwan’s sub-amendment seconded by Nunavut NDP MP Lori Idlout, called for explicit inclusion of Indigenous peoples in any economic planning or fiscal accountability measures, emphasizing that economic justice and reconciliation must go hand in hand.

"It is unacceptable to leave Indigenous peoples out of conversations that have significant financial, and policy implications on their communities," said Kwan. "Any economic update or budget must include targeted measures to address the ongoing social and economic disparities with respect to funding, infrastructure or social services facing First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.”

Kwan’s sub-amendment strengthened the motion by mandating the economic update or budget to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples in Canada's economic future and accountability measures.

Kwan’s proposal aligns with long-standing NDP calls for reconciliation through action. By embedding Indigenous rights and needs into fiscal planning, the sub-amendment aims to hold the government accountable to its commitments under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Recommendations and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls' Calls for Justice.

"Economic planning that excludes Indigenous voices is unjust, and out of step with Canada’s stated values," Kwan concluded. "This sub-amendment ensures that reconciliation is reflected in the decisions that shape our country’s future. This is what the NDP can do in Opposition even with just 7 members without party status - fight for you and your community and hold the government to account.”

Hill Times: Feds can’t continue to delay ‘heavy lifting’ on foreign interference response, says NDP MP Jenny Kwan

Nearly a year after Bill C-70, the Countering Foreign Interference Act, received royal assent last June following unanimous consent from opposition parties, Kwan noted that Carney’s government is already signalling the promised foreign influence registry is not on the fast track.

Alongside amendments to the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) Act, the Security of Information Act, the Canada Evidence Act, and the Criminal Code, Bill C-70 established a new Foreign Influence Transparency and Accountability Act, which allows for the creation of a foreign agents’ registry to be administered by an independent transparency commissioner.

CTV: New housing minister says he’ll ‘leverage’ his past as Vancouver mayor in new role

The Canadian Press asked Robertson if he felt home prices need to go down to restore affordability.

“No, I think that we need to deliver more supply, make sure the market is stable,” he said.

When asked the same question Tuesday, Carney said that while there are things Ottawa can do now to help with affordability — such as cutting the GST on new builds for first-time buyers — the long-term solution is to boost supply.

Click link to read the news story - https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/new-housing-minister-says-he-lacked-tools-to-tackle-homelessness-as-vancouver-mayor/