Jason Kenny Defends Niqab ban during Citizenship Ceremony

[Jolly_Penguin]

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/10/17/jason-kenney-niqab-citizenship_n_6003782.html

Ishaq, who was sponsored to come to Canada from Pakistan by her husband, put the brakes to her citizenship ceremony in January when she learned of the veil ban. Her lawsuit could result in the policy being scrapped.

The judge has reserved his decision.

In a speech on the policy change three years ago, Kenney said he was responding to concerns about those taking the oath while their faces were concealed.

"I have received complaints from members of Parliament, from citizens, from judges of the citizenship court that it is hard to ensure that individuals whose faces are covered are actually reciting the oath," he said.

"Requiring that all candidates show their faces while reciting the oath allows judges and everyone present to share in the ceremony, to ensure that all citizenship candidates are in fact, reciting the oath as required by our law."

He added that "to segregate one group of Canadians or allow them to hide their faces, to hide their identity from us precisely when they are joining our community is contrary to Canada's proud commitment to openness and to social cohesion."

Thoughts?

 

[ZiprHead]

Why is recitation required at all. Wouldn't the citizenship oath have more legal weight if signed on a document? Recitation seems kind of silly in the modern age.

 

[RavenSky]

Why is recitation required at all. Wouldn't the citizenship oath have more legal weight if signed on a document? Recitation seems kind of silly in the modern age.

^^^ that

I don't have a problem with requiring faces to be revealed for things like a driver's license, religious preferences be damned. But the reason given for demanding it for the citizenship ceremony is really stupid.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

So ... if someone else sneaks in under a mask and takes th oath for her, they means ... evil?

 

[ZiprHead]

So ... if someone else sneaks in under a mask and takes th oath for her, they means ... evil?

Run away!!! Run away!!! Run away!!!