The Niagara Falls Review

Canadians like values and dislike M103

- Postmedia Network

Two new public opinion polls underscore the concerns Canadians have about Muslim integratio­n and immigratio­n in Canada.

First, Forum Research has found that only 14 per cent of people support M-103, Liberal MP Iqra Khalid’s anti-discrimina­tion motion that singles out Islamophob­ia.

The majority of respondent­s instead want the wording changed so that it either doesn’t single out an individual religion, or it names all of them. As listing every religion practised by Canadians would be a maddening exercise, the first option is better.

Over the past few months, Liberal politician­s and their backers in the media have tried to ram a narrative down Canadians’ throats that this motion is nothing to worry about. They’ve even gone great lengths to ridicule its critics.

Clearly Canadians don’t care what their betters think. They reject this motion and we don’t blame them.

The Liberals should have taken the laurel leaf extended by numerous Conservati­ve MPs and revised its wording.

Meanwhile, a poll by Montreal-based firm CROP shows a full 75 per cent of Canadians support some form of anti-Canadian values screenings for new immigrants to Canada.

The study, commission­ed by the Frenchlang­uage division of CBC, doesn’t name Conservati­ve leadership candidate Kellie Leitch, but her social media statements on Monday clearly show she feels vindicated.

As she should. This is another idea the liberal elites have worked overtime trying to tear apart. But it’s always been a no-brainer.

While we’d still like to know more about the logistics of it, the basic idea is hardly controvers­ial. As Anthony Furey explained in a recent column, many northern European countries conduct such values screening measures.

The CROP poll also reveals 25 per cent of Canadians support a ban on Muslim immigratio­n. While we don’t support such a ban, this significan­t percentage highlights a troubling reality within Canadian public opinion.

Canada has a deserved reputation as a country where diversity, tolerance and respect are foundation­al parts of our way of life.

We risk eroding our culture both by failing to reach those who fear immigratio­n from any group, and by failing to ensure those coming here understand the values of their new home.

Turning a blind or politicall­y correct eye to either serves no one. —

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