Niqab debate important for Canadians, religious freedoms ambassador says

More on the incoherent messaging from the Government; showing openness and inclusion on the one side, playing wedge and identity politics on the other:

Bennett, who was appointed Canada’s ambassador for religious freedoms in 2013, said balancing equality rights against religious freedoms is always a challenge.

“Freedom of religion necessarily intersects with equality between men and women and freedom of expression, freedom of association,” he said.

“So we have to ensure that one right does not trump another right, and I think we always have to be aware — as the prime minister has articulated — about the rights of women in society and we have to be careful to defend those rights.”

….The scramble to clarify came amid a social media backlash to Harper’s comments and escalating opposition charges that the Conservatives are deliberately stoking prejudice against Muslim Canadians in their bid to ramp up fear about radical Islamist terrorism.

Clement argued that Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, who gave a major speech Monday denouncing what he dubbed Harper’s “politics of fear,” is the one expanding the issue beyond just niqabs at citizenship ceremonies.

But Conservative party talking points issued Wednesday suggest the issue is tied to the party’s broader goal of making terrorism an key issue in the coming election. After offering several lines about Trudeau being out of step with public support for banning the niqab during citizenship ceremonies, the final point says: “Unlike Justin Trudeau, we are not afraid to call the growing threat of jihadi terrorism exactly that — jihadi terrorism.”

For a Government that is normally so disciplined in its messaging, interesting to observe.

Niqab debate important for Canadians, religious freedoms ambassador says – The Globe and Mail.