Could it be someone doesn't really want these folks?

Early in December Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced “Starting today, any individual will have to show his or her face when taking the oath of citizenship. Allowing a group to hide their faces while they are becoming members of our community”, he explained, “is counter to Canada’s commitment to openness, equality and social cohesion.” And he further noted that he had heard complaints from citizenship judges, MPs and others who’ve participated in citizenship ceremonies who have argued it’s hard to tell whether veiled individuals are actually reciting the oath.

It seems obvious that this new rule is directed at the tiny population of Muslim women who wear the niqab or burka. What other “group” is there that might wish to “hide” their faces in citizenship court? And it seems equally apparent that Kenny is dancing around the problem of specifically referring to this group because to do so would be discriminatory. This lack of frankness and thoughtful discussion is troubling.

I, like many others, have concerns about the niqab and burka. Fears that it’s confining and potentially abusive of women seem reasonable, as do occasional security concerns. It seems sensible to prohibit a burka clad woman from driving, due to concerns about impaired vision, or for security personnel to focus on people who conceal their faces. But it’s important that we be frank and honest if we are to negotiate these matters in good faith.

If someone wishes to take an oath with a covered face, what exactly is the concern? Knowing who they are? Surely there are many ways to certify identity. Knowing if they are actually speaking? Seems to me we could listen. And, come to think of it, is it strictly necessary that an oath be vocalized? Has there ever been a concern in citizenship court that someone might just be mouthing the words? And, would it matter if they were? Can stroke victims who cannot speak become a Canadian citizens? Surely they can, as there are lots of ways to indicate the affirmation of an oath. Wouldn’t participating in the ceremony itself, and signing whatever it is they sign, be sufficient? Then again, maybe new citizens don’t sign anything. Then again, maybe they should.

A while back the concern was people voting with their faces covered, even though we allow Canadian citizens to vote by mail. Then it was accessing government services with their faces covered, though our government encourages thousands each year to apply for Employment Insurance Benefits and Canada Pension on line.

If we wish to accommodate people, we find ways to do so. If we do not wish to accommodate people, we don’t. But it is disrespectful and hurtful to justify ourselves by suggesting that there are problems where there are none.