Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Federal Government To Take Controversy Over Face Coverings To Supreme Court

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Sep, 2015 01:42 PM
    OTTAWA — The federal government will challenge a Federal Court of Appeal decision that quashed its attempts to ban face coverings at citizenship ceremonies.
     
    Immigration Minister Chris Alexander issued a terse, one-line statement Wednesday to outline the government's next step.
     
    "The government of Canada will seek leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada in the Ishaq case," he said. 
     
    Zunera Ishaq, a 29-year-old, devout Muslim woman who came to Ontario from Pakistan in 2008, refused to take part in a citizenship ceremony because she would have to show her face.
     
    On Tuesday, the appeal court dismissed the government's appeal of an earlier Federal Court ruling case that declared the ban on face coverings at such ceremonies was unlawful.
     
    The three-judge appeal panel ruled from the bench, saying they wanted to proceed quickly so that Ishaq could obtain citizenship in time to vote in the Oct. 19 federal election.
     
    One of Ishaq's lawyers, Marlys Edwardh, said the Immigration Department would be contacted this week so she could attend a citizenship ceremony — accompanied by her lawyers "just in case."
     
    It was not immediately clear Wednesday whether the government's stated intention to try and appeal the decision could stop Ishaq from taking the oath before the election. The government has 60 days to file an application to the top court asking it to hear the case.
     
    The ban on face coverings sparked a bitter debate in the House of Commons when it was first announced. Tuesday's ruling — and Wednesday's decision to fight it — are sure to put the issue firmly on the campaign agenda.
     
     
    Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said it is an issue of protecting minority rights.
     
    "In any situation where a government chooses to limit or restrict individual rights or freedoms, it has to clearly explain why," he said in Calgary. "This government has not done that. It is continuing with the politics of division and even fear and that is not worthy of a country as diverse and extraordinary as Canada."
     
    The court case stems from the Conservative government's attempt to implement a ban on face coverings by ministerial order in 2011.
     
    According to documents filed in court, Immigration Department officials were leery.
     
    "My interpretation is that the minister would like this done, regardless of the legislative base and that he will use his prerogative to make policy change," one wrote to a group of colleagues in 2011.
     
    In court Tuesday, Justice Department lawyer Peter Southey surprised the judge and defence lawyers when he said the government never meant to make it mandatory for women to remove their face coverings for citizenship ceremonies.
     
    The controversial edict was a regulation that had no actual force in law, Southey told the hearing.
     
    "It indicates a desire in the strongest possible language," Southey said — an argument that appeared to come as a surprise to Justice Johanne Trudel.
     
    "I cannot see how this is not mandatory," Trudel said during the hearing.
     
    Speaking in Quebec Wednesday, Denis Lebel, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Quebec lieutenant, suggested the government now plans to make it a mandatory by law.
     
    Lebel said that if re-elected, the Conservatives will re-introduce and adopt legislation on the oath of citizenship within 100 days.
     
    Citizenship isn't just a privilege and brings with it the responsibility to clearly identify oneself when taking the oath, he said.
     
    "When a government tables legislation, it's more than just desire," Lebel said. "We have the political belief that this is the way it has to be."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    B.C. Liquor Store Fundraiser Pumps $102,000 Into Wildfire Relief

    B.C. Liquor Store Fundraiser Pumps $102,000 Into Wildfire Relief
    Customers and employees of B.C. liquor stores have raised $102,000 to support victims of this summer's wildfires in the province.

    B.C. Liquor Store Fundraiser Pumps $102,000 Into Wildfire Relief

    Ontario Looks At Importing More Electricity From Quebec At Joint Cabinet Meeting

    Ontario Looks At Importing More Electricity From Quebec At Joint Cabinet Meeting
    QUEBEC — Ontario will look at the financial implications of buying more electricity from Quebec under an agreement to be signed Friday at a joint cabinet meeting in Quebec City.

    Ontario Looks At Importing More Electricity From Quebec At Joint Cabinet Meeting

    Premier Kathleen Wynne To Announce Funding For Syrian Refugees On Saturday

    QUEBEC — Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne urged Ottawa on Friday to speed up its process to welcome more refugees to Canada.

    Premier Kathleen Wynne To Announce Funding For Syrian Refugees On Saturday

    Drone Captures Photos Of New Endangered Baby Orca Swimming Alongside Mother

    Drone Captures Photos Of New Endangered Baby Orca Swimming Alongside Mother
    The new calf is the fifth baby since December to be born to the endangered population of killer whales that spend time in Washington state waters.

    Drone Captures Photos Of New Endangered Baby Orca Swimming Alongside Mother

    Over 65 Killed As Crane Falls On Mecca's Grand Mosque

    Over 65 Killed As Crane Falls On Mecca's Grand Mosque
    Over 65 people were killed after a crane collapsed on to the Grand Mosque in the Saudi Arabia's holy city of Makkah, which is preparing for the Annual Haj.

    Over 65 Killed As Crane Falls On Mecca's Grand Mosque

    Premier Christy Clark Says B.C. Doesn't Need Advice From Twerking Singer Miley Cyrus

    Premier Christy Clark Says B.C. Doesn't Need Advice From Twerking Singer Miley Cyrus
    Clark says Cyrus doesn't know anything about the reasons behind B.C.'s wolf cull, which she says is necessary to protect endangered caribou

    Premier Christy Clark Says B.C. Doesn't Need Advice From Twerking Singer Miley Cyrus