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Want to become Canadian Citizen? Must show your face... |
12 Dec 2011 13:01 #66330
by VillageBelle
Burka ban at Canadian citizenship ceremonies
Published: December 12, 2011 11:16 a.m.Last modified: December 12, 2011 11:33 a.m. MONTREAL - Starting today, there's a burka ban at Canadian citizenship ceremonies.
New Canadians will have to remove any face-coverings, such as the Islamic niqab or burka, while they take the oath of citizenship.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney made the announcement Monday at a news conference in Montreal.
He said he's received complaints from MPs and citizenship judges to the effect that it's difficult to ensure that individuals whose faces are covered are really taking the oath.
Kenney said it's also a question of values. He said new Canadians should be taking the oath in front of their fellow citizens.
"This is really a matter of pure principle — which is at the heart of our public values," he said, speaking in French.
"The oath of citizenship is a public gesture."
Kenney was asked at the news conference how often such events ever happen in Canada. He said he could not provide a numeric estimate but said he has heard anecdotes.
The location of the announcement was not without symbolism. Quebec has had heated debates in recent years over so-called "reasonable accommodation" — namely, how much should Canada bend to accommodate newcomers.
While in the rest of Canada, such issues are more often raised by conservatives, in Quebec the issue is frequently raised by the left-leaning and nationalist Parti Quebecois.
New Canadians will have to remove any face-coverings, such as the Islamic niqab or burka, while they take the oath of citizenship.
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney made the announcement Monday at a news conference in Montreal.
He said he's received complaints from MPs and citizenship judges to the effect that it's difficult to ensure that individuals whose faces are covered are really taking the oath.
Kenney said it's also a question of values. He said new Canadians should be taking the oath in front of their fellow citizens.
"This is really a matter of pure principle — which is at the heart of our public values," he said, speaking in French.
"The oath of citizenship is a public gesture."
Kenney was asked at the news conference how often such events ever happen in Canada. He said he could not provide a numeric estimate but said he has heard anecdotes.
The location of the announcement was not without symbolism. Quebec has had heated debates in recent years over so-called "reasonable accommodation" — namely, how much should Canada bend to accommodate newcomers.
While in the rest of Canada, such issues are more often raised by conservatives, in Quebec the issue is frequently raised by the left-leaning and nationalist Parti Quebecois.
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