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Canada Revokes Travel Authorization for French MEP Rima Hassan Ahead of Montreal Events

The last‑minute reversal highlights a clash between border vetting and concerns over curbing political speech.

Overview

  • Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament from France, lost her approved electronic travel authorization, which Canada requires for most visa‑exempt visitors, days before planned talks in Montreal.
  • The France Unbowed party said officials cited nondisclosure of a prior entry refusal and an alleged criminal matter as the reason for the reversal.
  • Hassan said pressure from pro‑Israel groups drove the decision, while CIJA and B’nai Brith praised the ban and B’nai Brith said it provided information to the border agency.
  • Canadian politicians including NDP MP Alexandre Boulerice and Québec solidaire’s Andrés Fontecilla questioned the move and asked Ottawa to explain it, as the border agency had not commented.
  • Hassan plans to deliver her remarks online, and the episode could shape how Canada handles entry for foreign elected officials and campus events tied to the IsraelHamas war.