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Canada considers unveiling Muslim voters
The Washington Times ^ | October, 27, 2007 | Randall Palmer

Posted on 10/27/2007 9:17:30 PM PDT by americanophile

OTTAWA (REUTERS)— Muslim women in niqabs or burqas would no longer be allowed to stay veiled when voting in Canada under government legislation introduced yesterday.

The bill seeks to force the hand of Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand, who rebuffed a request by a parliamentary committee that he require the lifting of veils to prove a voter's identity. He had insisted the existing law did not require it.

The new legislation would allow an exception only for someone whose face is bandaged after surgery or covered for other medical reasons.

The issue has become a hot potato, especially in the province of Quebec, which is debating how much to accommodate minorities. The provincial electoral officer in Quebec reversed course last March and required the unveiling of voters.

During a campaign for three federal seats in the province last month, all four federal parties said faces must be uncovered, but opposition Liberal Deputy Leader Michael Ignatieff was cool toward the bill in remarks yesterday.

"What I don't like, and object to, is the ways in which certain politicians are stirring this up," he told reporters outside the House of Commons.

He said the Liberals were committed to achieving a balance between religious freedom and civic duty, and that a decent society "would work out a pragmatic solution that keeps everybody happy."

The rival opposition party Bloc Quebecois, which had earlier introduced a bill similar to the Conservative government's, dismissed Mr. Ignatieff's criticism.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Canada; Culture/Society; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: hajib; muslims; voting

1 posted on 10/27/2007 9:17:31 PM PDT by americanophile
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To: americanophile
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There are some people who should remain covered.
2 posted on 10/27/2007 9:33:01 PM PDT by Old Seadog (Inside every old person is a young person saying "WTF happened?".)
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To: americanophile

The Muslim women’s demands that they not be required to unveil because they need to remain “modest” is complete b.s. They can take the burkha/hood/mask off in front of other women with no impact upon modesty. So if they’re refusing to unveil, it’s for no honest reason.


3 posted on 10/27/2007 9:39:51 PM PDT by Fairview ( Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.)
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To: americanophile
The issue has become a hot potato, especially in the province of Quebec, which is debating how much to accommodate minorities.

They shouldn't accommodate at all. Minorities should assimilate or leave.

4 posted on 10/27/2007 10:24:59 PM PDT by uptoolate (This world is not my home, I'm justa passin' thru.)
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To: americanophile

burqas

UnAmerican

Lift it. Lose it. Or leave. G-d bless America. Allah has no stake in this land.


5 posted on 10/28/2007 12:14:23 AM PDT by Dov in Houston (The word Amnesty invokes a passion in me. Illegal immigrants are criminals. Supporters Aid & Abet)
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To: Dov in Houston

The liberal was lying, no surprise, had this been a Christian thing, the liberal would be trying to burn them at the stake to get the face uncovered. it is so easy to find ways to hate liberals even in Frog Country


6 posted on 10/28/2007 4:20:39 AM PDT by Mojohemi (urie)
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To: americanophile

Group of Canadian Soldiers might all dress in black with masks and wander around a few times.

That out to make the point, scare heck out of everyone..

Masks and hoods to hide ones identity have little place in a free society.

W


7 posted on 10/28/2007 4:45:28 AM PDT by WLR (Armed Staff on School Campus. Build the Fence, Iran delenda est)
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To: americanophile

Okey dokey, but is the identification they’re using a driver’s license picture with their face covered?


8 posted on 10/28/2007 4:52:58 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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To: uptoolate

If the authorities don’t push the issue...then I’d start showing up at stores, banks, and businesses....as a guy dressed in a burka...and play this entire game out. If you had a thousand guys walking around and doing this...the public would start to realize how stupid it really is, and demand “no burkas”.


9 posted on 10/28/2007 4:59:08 AM PDT by pepsionice
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To: americanophile; GMMAC; Clive; exg; kanawa; conniew; backhoe; -YYZ-; Former Proud Canadian; ...

10 posted on 10/28/2007 5:00:03 AM PDT by fanfan ("We don't start fights my friends, but we finish them, and never leave until our work is done."PMSH)
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To: americanophile
"Canada considers unveiling Muslim voters"

Canada considers unveiling Muslim all voters, Muslims hardest hit.

11 posted on 10/28/2007 5:09:16 AM PDT by norwaypinesavage (Planting trees to offset carbon emissions is like drinking water to offset rising ocean levels)
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