Stephen Harper wants to decide who is Canadian

September 17, 2015

Failed court challenge just the latest attempt to divide Canadians

TORONTO – Today, John McCallum, Liberal candidate for Markham–Thornhill, called for an end to Stephen Harper’s two-tiered citizenship. This comes after the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed the attempt by Conservative government lawyers to overturn a Federal Court ruling which removed the ban on face coverings at citizenship ceremonies. The appeal court’s quick dismissal is a clear sign of how far the Harper Conservatives have overstepped when it comes to what is acceptable under Canadian law.

“Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party have created two-tiered citizenship in Canada with the passage of Bill C-24,” said Mr. McCallum. “Yesterday’s court action is just the latest desperate attempt by Harper to encourage Canadians to be fearful of one another. In recent years, we have seen Harper increase the cost to apply for citizenship, try to ban niqabs from citizenship ceremonies, and create a new class of citizenship which can be taken away by his ministers.”

Mr. McCallum also expressed concerns about Harper’s use of language that was clearly designed to create divisions in Canadian communities. When talking about wearing the niqab, Stephen Harper said it is “not how we do things here,” and called it “offensive”. 

“What is offensive is Stephen Harper’s treatment of Canadians, and his failure to recognize that Canada is strong not in spite of its differences, but precisely because of them,” said Mr. McCallum. “Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party believe in bringing Canadians together and respecting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A Liberal government will reverse the Conservatives’ two-tiered citizenship laws, and protect freedom of religion and expression.”