A legislator with Canada’s governing Conservatives apologised on Tuesday for saying Muslim women who do not want to remove their face-coverings when taking the citizenship oath should “stay the hell where (they) came from”.
It was the second embarrassing backtrack this month by the ruling Conservatives as they gear up for an October election that they have signalled they will centre on the economy and the fight against what they call “jihadist terrorism”.
The incident occurred on Monday when Conservative member of parliament Larry Miller spoke out against a woman who is fighting in court for the right to wear her Niqab, at her citizenship ceremony.
“Frankly, if you’re not willing to show your face in a ceremony that you’re joining the best country in the world, then frankly, if you don’t like that or don’t want to do that, stay the hell where you came from,” he said.
“That’s maybe saying it a little harshly, but that’s the way I feel.”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has spoken strongly against using the Niqab in citizenship ceremonies, but Miller apologised after being in contact with the prime minister’s office.
