During question period at the House of Commons on Monday, NDP MP Jenny Kwan said that the closure of Roxham Road over the weekend with “an invisible wall” would “only drive persecuted asylum-seekers on a more dangerous pathway.” Parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marie-France Lalonde responded by saying that the government had “finally updated” the Safe Third Country Act and that this was a “victory.”
“The NDP is deeply disturbed to learn that Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberal government announced an expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) to the entire Canada-US border, following discussions with President Biden, which came into effect at 12:01 am on March 25, 2023. This new agreement will expand the STCA to apply beyond official ports of entry, to the entire length of the Canada-US border, further denying asylum seekers a viable path to safety.
Given the widespread human rights implications of this decision, the NDP is also alarmed to learn these secretive negotiations took place without any consultation from stakeholders and experts. Further, this more restrictive agreement between Canada and the US was signed in secret back in Ottawa on March 29, 2022, while a case was already before the Supreme Court of Canada. This is shocking and appalling.
“The NDP is deeply disturbed to learn that Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberal government announced an expansion of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) to the entire Canada-US border, following discussions with President Biden, which came into effect at 12:01 am on March 25, 2023. This new agreement will expand the STCA to apply beyond official ports of entry, to the entire length of the Canada-US border, further denying asylum seekers a viable path to safety.
Given the widespread human rights implications of this decision, the NDP is also alarmed to learn these secretive negotiations took place without any consultation from stakeholders and experts. Further, this more restrictive agreement between Canada and the US was signed in secret back in Ottawa on March 29, 2022, while a case was already before the Supreme Court of Canada. This is shocking and appalling.
“It is unsettling that Justin Trudeau is resisting launching a public inquiry into foreign interference in our democracy,” said Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. “With allegations mounting that both Conservative and Liberal candidates may have been involved in foreign interference schemes, Canadians expect transparency and action to restore their confidence in our election process. It’s inconceivable that the Prime Minister is denying people the transparency they deserve from their elected officials.”
New Democrats have been pushing for an independent public inquiry into foreign interference for weeks. Singh says this is the only responsible way to get answers for Canadians.
The House of Commons will vote today on a NDP concurrence motion, brought forawrd by NDP MP Peter Julian, on the 25th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, calling on the government "to launch a national public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in Canada's democratic system, including, but not limited to, allegations of interference in general elections by foreign governments".
This motion, originally scheduled to be voted on last Tuesday, March 21, was blocked by the Conservatives.
This move by the Conservative Party raises many questions about their genuine desire to see a public, independent and transparent inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in our democratic process.
The House of Commons will vote today on a NDP concurrence motion, brought forawrd by NDP MP Peter Julian, on the 25th report of the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, calling on the government "to launch a national public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in Canada's democratic system, including, but not limited to, allegations of interference in general elections by foreign governments".
This motion, originally scheduled to be voted on last Tuesday, March 21, was blocked by the Conservatives.
OTTAWA — On Thursday, the NDP forced a vote to launch a national, independent, public inquiry into allegations of foreign interference in Canada’s electoral system. The vote comes a day after Liberal MP Han Dong left caucus over troubling allegations, the most recent report in a litany of growing claims about foreign interference. While the Liberals refused to support a public inquiry to reassure Canadians that their vote and voices are represented in our elections, the motion was still passed with all opposition party support.
“It is unsettling that Justin Trudeau is resisting launching a public inquiry into foreign interference in our democracy,” said Canada’s NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh. “With allegations mounting that both Conservative and Liberal candidates may have been involved in foreign interference schemes, Canadians expect transparency and action to restore their confidence in our election process. It’s inconceivable that the Prime Minister is denying people the transparency they deserve from their elected officials.”
OTTAWA — On Tuesday, Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives blocked an important vote for a motion calling on a public inquiry into foreign interference. The motion was supposed to be moved in the House of Commons this morning but the Conservatives shut it down, proving that they’re not interested in getting results for Canadians.
New Democrats want the inquiry to call ministers, former ministers, chiefs of staff to the prime minister and to the leader of the official opposition during the 2019 and 2021 federal election campaigns as well as both parties’ campaign directors so that Canadians have the answers they need and confidence in their institutions moving forward.
Some Democrat-led states are taking steps to protect transgender and non-binary people, especially young people. This month, for example, Minnesota Gov.Tim Walz signed an executive order to protect the rights of LGBTQ people in the state. A bill tabled by Minnesota's first openly transgender lawmaker also aims to make the state a "trans refuge state."
NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan, who supports the reasons for the petition, said she's not sure travelling to different regions within a home country will be feasible for everyone. There are also uncertainties about whether that's a viable long-term option.
"These are ongoing concerns," she said. "If they [go] to yet another state, maybe the laws there will also change.”