In a development which may not go down well with some people, the Immigration Minister of Canada has declared wearing face coverings while taking an oath of the Canadian citizenship illegal. He was quoted as saying that permitting some people to conceal their faces even as they were becoming the proud members of the Canadian community was against the nation's avowed pledge to openness, parity and social unity. Jason Kenney referred to protests from citizenship judges and others who had expressed their unhappiness saying it was not easy to make certain if people, whose faces were covered, were actually taking the oath.
Although the new rule mainly targets Muslim women, with an overall Muslim population of just half-a-million, in a nation of 34.5 million, and only a drop of Muslim immigration, it is not likely to have a big influence. On the other hand, it is generally being seen as yet another lob in a heated public debate over the issue in the Canadian society. Presently, at the airports, Muslim women, behind veils, have the liberty to show their face only to the female security personnel. They also have a right to exercise their right to vote in polls, without having to reveal their face.
But, veils could soon be declared illegal at government workplaces across the province of Quebec, besides at hospitals, schools, nurseries, and other such public places. Quebec is considering a law which would leave individuals with no options except to reveal their face at government run and managed institutions and/or to access public services.
For more updates on Canada immigration and visa, watch this space. For immigration to UK, US, Australia, Canada, Denmark, New Zealand, Lithuania, Singapore, and Hong Kong, send your updated resume to ajay@abhinav.com and get Immigration Assessment, absolutely free.