Mr. Speaker, I am rising in debate this evening to raise a question that I initially raised a number of months ago about a decision that is somewhat murky in its content. I have been trying to determine from the government for some time exactly if a decision was made to ban the band Kneecap. This is a question that I think some Canadians will have seen in the media. It attracted a lot of controversy.
This Irish band was apparently told it could not enter Canada. Although we do not have a clear decision chronology as to how the decision was made and how it was communicated to the band, it was certainly in the media that this band was alleged to have views that were unacceptable and was refused entry to Canada. It is not clear how this was decided or if, in fact, it was decided. That is why I pursued the matter with the Minister of Immigration in this place. Her position was that no particular case could be discussed, obviously for reasons of privacy.
This band had attracted attention in other parts of the world and was quite clear in saying there was no evidence whatsoever that it had ever supported Hamas or Hezbollah, and that the allegations to that effect were unfounded, incorrect and maligned the band's reputation. Meanwhile, the band also said it had not exactly been told by anyone in Canada that it was not welcome, but had merely seen the media coverage.
It is a long time ago now, as we are absorbed for obvious reasons in more recent issues, such as the budget that came down two days ago. We have lots of things on our mind. However, the fundamental principles of the rule of law honoured by this country, our commitment to human rights and our commitment to free speech should not be something that is questioned by an incident.
I admit that the name Kneecap only reminds me of having knee replacements, which is not something I would like to revisit. In any case, I think any artistic enterprise should be welcomed into Canada. On scanty evidence that the band disputes, I am wondering if the Government of Canada itself made a decision to ban this band from touring Canada. If so, the evidence should be available for parliamentary review. Did the decision get made within Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or was it, as I asked in my question, that at least one member of the Liberal caucus said that this particular musical group had been banned? The minister did not confirm that.
I do not need to belabour it. I know the parliamentary secretary is waiting to respond. I really am, in tonight's session of Adjournment Proceedings, seeking clarity. I do not have an agenda here except to know what decision was made, if it was made properly, if it was made based on evidence that this musical group represented some threat to Canada that was otherwise unacceptable under our values. At a minimum, I would like the House to be told who made the decision and was it made under immigration and refugee laws, as would normally be applied, or was this, as it appeared at the time in the media, potentially one rogue MP who decided to announce it for whatever benefit that might be. Certainly, the issue is highly charged. Therefore, people might seek to gain advantage one way or the other. I would just like to know what happened.