Sheila Steele
Blame 50 Cent!
A few days after this news story (which was completely politically motivated) it was announced that Fiddy would be allowed in. There was just too much money at stake! We're such f**kin hypocrites!
Hip-hop hold-up
Canadian Press, November 23, 2005
Immigration Minister Joe Volpe has been asked by one of his Liberal colleagues to prevent hip-hop artist 50 Cent from coming to Canada.
Born Curtis Jackson in Queen's, N.Y., 50 Cent -- or Fiddy, as he's also known -- is to launch a Canadian tour Dec. 3 in Vancouver.
But the rapper promotes gun violence, said Toronto MP Dan McTeague, who wants Mr. Volpe to turn back 50 Cent at the border. "I don't think people in Toronto or any urban centre need or want to hear Mr. Jackson's message right now."
The musician performed in Toronto in 2003, where Mr. McTeague points out there was a shooting.
"I think it's time we send a message of our own to those who glorify violence that their gratuitous violence and movies are not welcome in our country," Mr. McTeague said.
"We need to do a better job at protecting Canadians from people whose message runs counter to all of our efforts of trying to curb gun violence."
A spokesman for Mr. Volpe said last night that he was unaware of the letter. The Immigration Minister would not comment on an individual case anyway, Steven Heckbert said.
The rapper has a criminal record, and would be required to obtain a ministerial permit to enter Canada, although such permits are issued regularly, he added.
"It's permission that's granted typically about 12,000 times a year," Mr. Heckbert said.
50 Cent's Canadian tour is also scheduled to stop in Halifax, Saint John, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto and Ottawa.
Blame 50 Cent!
A few days after this news story (which was completely politically motivated) it was announced that Fiddy would be allowed in. There was just too much money at stake! We're such f**kin hypocrites!
Hip-hop hold-up
Canadian Press, November 23, 2005
Immigration Minister Joe Volpe has been asked by one of his Liberal colleagues to prevent hip-hop artist 50 Cent from coming to Canada.
Born Curtis Jackson in Queen's, N.Y., 50 Cent -- or Fiddy, as he's also known -- is to launch a Canadian tour Dec. 3 in Vancouver.
But the rapper promotes gun violence, said Toronto MP Dan McTeague, who wants Mr. Volpe to turn back 50 Cent at the border. "I don't think people in Toronto or any urban centre need or want to hear Mr. Jackson's message right now."
The musician performed in Toronto in 2003, where Mr. McTeague points out there was a shooting.
"I think it's time we send a message of our own to those who glorify violence that their gratuitous violence and movies are not welcome in our country," Mr. McTeague said.
"We need to do a better job at protecting Canadians from people whose message runs counter to all of our efforts of trying to curb gun violence."
A spokesman for Mr. Volpe said last night that he was unaware of the letter. The Immigration Minister would not comment on an individual case anyway, Steven Heckbert said.
The rapper has a criminal record, and would be required to obtain a ministerial permit to enter Canada, although such permits are issued regularly, he added.
"It's permission that's granted typically about 12,000 times a year," Mr. Heckbert said.
50 Cent's Canadian tour is also scheduled to stop in Halifax, Saint John, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto and Ottawa.