Harper accused of fostering ‘intolerance’
OTTAWA — The controversy over Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s approach to Muslims intensified Wednesday, as NDP Leader Tom Mulcair accused him of fostering “intolerance” and helping create “Islamophobia.”
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, who began the attacks earlier this week by accusing Harper of spreading “fear” and “prejudice” of Muslims, jumped into the fray again on Wednesday.
In the House of Commons, Trudeau referred back to a quarter century ago when Harper was policy chief for the Reform party, which opposed allowing Sikh RCMP officers to wear their turbans while in uniform.
“We’ve seen this before,” Trudeau said. “Twenty-five years later, why does he still insist that the majority should dictate the religious rights of minorities?”
Harper shot back, citing complaints from Jewish Canadian groups that said Trudeau spoke inappropriately earlier this week in comparing the rhetoric that led to Canada’s immigration policy for Holocaust-era Jews with fears now being spread about Muslims.
But the NDP and Liberal leaders were undeterred in their criticism of Harper.
At the heart of the politically charged issue is the federal government’s position on whether Muslim women should be permitted to wear a niqab, which covers the face, while reciting the oath of citizenship.
For several years, the government has forbidden women from wearing the niqab in this circumstance. A court overturned that ban several weeks ago, and Harper said he would appeal the ruling because wearing the niqab then was “offensive” and “not how we do things here.”
Harper dug in his heels in the Commons this week, saying that wearing a niqab in citizenship ceremonies is “contrary to our own values” and is “rooted in a culture that is anti-women.’’
On Wednesday, Mulcair on Wednesday unleashed his own criticism of Harper.
“My job is to try to make people feel more secure in our society, whatever their religion, whatever their origin,” Mulcair said.
“Right now, we’re in an unprecedented situation where the prime minister of Canada is using very divisive language and singling out a community.
“Mr. Harper specifically singles out mosques. That leads to Islamophobia, and that’s irresponsible.”
“TWENTY-FIVE YEARS LATER, WHY DOES HE STILL INSIST THAT THE MAJORITY SHOULD DICTATE THE RELIGIOUS
RIGHTS OF MINORITIES.” JUSTIN TRUDEAU