Rima Hassan, a French Member of the European Parliament, was denied entry to Canada on March 29, 2026. The decision came as she was scheduled to speak at two conferences in Montreal, raising questions about the implications for freedom of expression.
Initially, Hassan’s request for travel authorization was approved by Canadian authorities; however, it was later revoked. The denial was attributed to her failure to disclose a previous visa refusal to Israel and a prior criminal offense.
Hassan had previously been denied entry to Israel in February 2025, a situation that has contributed to the scrutiny surrounding her travel. Complaints had been filed against her for glorification of terrorism, although she was not convicted of any crime.
In response to the denial, B’nai Brith Canada and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs praised the decision, emphasizing that Canada should not be a platform for individuals who justify terrorism or glorify violence. B’nai Brith Canada stated, “Canada is not a platform for those who justify terrorism, glorify violence, and deny Jewish history.”
Hassan, on the other hand, claimed that the denial was influenced by pro-Israel lobbying organizations. She expressed her frustration, stating, “J’ai été empêchée de me rendre au Canada : une entrave préoccupante à l’action parlementaire et à la liberté d’expression,” which translates to “I was prevented from going to Canada: a worrying obstruction to parliamentary action and freedom of expression.”
Despite the entry denial, Hassan confirmed she would deliver her conferences remotely. La France Insoumise, her political party, condemned the decision, asserting that it reflects a troubling trend of restricting the movement and expression of political representatives.
The Political Science Student Association of Concordia University also expressed outrage over the ban, highlighting concerns about academic freedom and the implications for international dialogue.
Canadian authorities have not publicly detailed the specific reasons for the entry denial, leaving some aspects of the situation unclear. Details remain unconfirmed.
As the situation develops, observers will be watching closely to see how this incident impacts future engagements of political figures in Canada and the ongoing discourse surrounding freedom of expression.
