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THE COURTS HAVE RULED: "THERE IS NO IRREPARABLE HARM TO A WOMEN WEARING A NIQUAB"
2 out of 206,000 people who became Canadian citizens last year requested to wear a niquab when taking their oath of citizenship.
Canada is a country made up of immigrants from all over the world who came in search of religious, political freedom; many escaping persecution from their homeland, seeking a new home where they would be free from government oppression.
Unlike the US of A we are not a melting pot. We pride ourselves as having a patchwork mentality where we all can be proud of our heritage and culture. Canada is a beautiful rainbow of colours and beliefs. They make us into a diverse multi-cultural country to better raise our children where all are welcome . It is not necessary to blend into a one size fits all mentality.
Being a counselor I have developed a psychic scar. Demeaning others because of their ethnicity is wrong. In my eyes all people are created equal.
Unlike Steven Harper I do not believe there are "good stock people." Longevity or country of origin is not a case for entitlement. We are all immigrants to Canada including our Natives who came from south of the Canadian border, boat people from Vietnam, Indians escaping Idi Amin from Uganda along with millions of others have made Canada their home.
So "why I ask is the Harper’s government made the wearing of the Niquab a issue celebre in this election? Perhaps he wants us to forget the Senate scandal, Native rights and freedoms issues, refugees and focus on a women’s veil.
Surely Harper is not a anti-Semite choosing to focus on my Moslem cousins who came from the Middle East.? Could his mantra be to : divide and conquer?
There is no doubt in my mind that Harper sees himself as the divine savior of Canada extending his ten year term as leader for four more years.
The question we all have to struggle with on October 19th is: Who do you trust to maintain the rights and freedoms of all Canadians?
Len Lesser