Tiptoeing on identity, faith
NDP leadership hopefuls weigh in on face coverings
MONTREAL — The four NDP leadership hopefuls tread carefully on Sunday when they were asked to weigh in on Quebec’s ongoing discussion over religion and identity during a French-language debate in Montreal.
Manitoba MP Niki Ashton, Quebec MP Guy Caron and Ontario MP Charlie Angus and Ontario legislature member Jagmeet Singh were asked about the Quebec government’s proposed legislation that sets guidelines for accommodating religious requests. The bill attempts to enshrine into law the policy that all people giving or receiving a service from the state must do so with their face uncovered.
Caron said it was important to fight racism and Islamophobia but also to support Quebec’s right to make its own decisions.
“Rejecting secularism because we believe it’s just racism is fundamentally misunderstanding Quebec,” he told a packed room at Montreal’s Club Soda.
Singh, who has said he is against the bill, said he doesn’t believe the state should be able to dictate what people wear, but added he believes the province has laws in place to ensure rights are protected. “I’m not here to convince you to accept my turban, nor my beard,” said Singh, who is Sikh. “What I want to convince you is that I’m someone who shares the same values as you.”
Ashton and Angus also disagreed with the idea the state should be able to dictate what a person wears but refrained from criticizing the Quebec government. “It’s absolutely essential that we stand up for humans rights and the people’s freedom. It’s also important we respect Quebec,” Ashton said.
Members of the NDP will vote for the successor to outgoing leader Thomas Mulcair on Sept. 18.