#dresscodepm

[claricedemedicis]

ok i literally couldn’t care less about politics (as i am a 15 year old girl), but damn it harper, stop being a racist dickhead pls & thank you

[pakistaniheaux]

So Stephen Harper recently said that the niqab is “against canadian values” and is part of “anti-woman” culture. maybe what’s “anti-woman” is harper telling woman what isn’t and is okay to wear?

[jniethammer]

Hey Harper, I just finished a workout, is this look OK? Oh wait, my bad, I'm a male, Caucasian, atheist, so we're good, but you should probably tip off CSIS, just to be "safe". #dresscodePM #dresscodepm #cdnpoli

[putthatontoast-blog]

canadian values?

What are “Canadian Values”?

This is a question I began to ask myself after hearing Stephen Harper claim that Women wearing Hijab or other face coverings are from places that are “Anti-woman” and that it goes against our core “Canadian values”.

Now, there is some truth to Steve's claim. Indeed it seems to be that some women are forced into wearing face coverings against their wishes. Some women chose to wear them. I feel as though Canada has already gone through this once before with Sikh men wearing Turbans. Perhaps the issue isn't so much with the fact that it's women but more to do with the fact that they aren't white Canadians.

It seems to me that we as Canadians have an obligation to allow anyone of any race or religion into this country, as long as the person or people are not already a threat to others. This is a nation that should not be making assumptions about someones guilt or innocence on any matter.

I wish we could say that we know better but it's obvious we do not. It is implied in Stephen Harpers words that a core Canadian values is the equal rights and respect for all women, not just in our country but abroad as well. I feel as though this is a fair statement. I think most Canadians would agree that we feel as though all women are equal, heck, I think its fair to say that we believe all people are equal.

There is just one glaring omission that we are all making. Canada, it's government and it's people, have allowed over 1200 Aboriginal Women and Children to remain missing and for the most part never searched for. Programs to aid Aboriginal Women are almost non existent and the few that are available must be independently funded.

Volunteers in Winnipeg have taken it upon themselves to drag the Red River following the discovery of 15 year old Tina Fontain in August. This should be something that happens in the hours, days and weeks following the disappearance of anyone. I could safely guarantee that is the woman missing was blond and blue eyed last seen in her SUV leaving hot yoga class, the water would have been dragged immediately.

Bottom line is, our track record for the treatment of women in the country is appalling. On the same day that Steve made his comments in question period, The UN released a report which found Canada to be in “Grave violation” of the rights and freedoms of Canada’s Aboriginal women. This from a the UN who also has said the same for women in nations where the face coverings are mandatory. Harper’s conservative government responded by saying that not only do they think there is no need for an inquiry of the matter but that they strongly oppose any sort of national action plan to tackle this matter head on.

So, when it comes to Canada's core values in regards to women's rights and freedoms where is it exactly that we stand. Do we stand with Steve, nostrils flared and hair sitting just right so as to hide the horns. Or do we feel something different.

When it comes to immigration perhaps we should be looking to the same group of people that we have alienated for over two centuries. Perhaps all immigration into Canada should be handled by the First Nations themselves. Seeing as how they allowed us onto the land and shepherded us through the first 100 years. We the Anglo-Canadians should have no say in this matter. Why is it that we can lay down the gauntlet into this land. We could let in 100 million immigrants for all over the world and we would still not have half the population of America and we have twice the land mass. Immigration is going to happen. Our country was founded on it. And until we can figure out exactly what it is our core values are and then actually live up to them we should have no right to impose them on someone else.

[allthecanadianpolitics]

#DressCodePM: Stephen Harper Mocked For Niqab Comments

Stephen Harper's controversial remarks against the niqab are drawing fire on social media. Twitter users have blasted the prime minister after he stated in the House of Commons Tuesday that the face-covering veil worn by some Muslims comes from a culture that is "anti-women." The federal government is appealing a court ruling that struck down a ban on the wearing of the niqab during citizenship ceremonies. Harper has said most Canadians find it "offensive" that someone would "hide their identity" while committing to join the Canadian family. Immigration Minister Chris Alexander also faced criticism last month after he suggested that hijabs — traditional Muslim headscarves that do not cover the face — should also be banned during citizenship ceremonies. Liberals and New Democrats have been sharply critical of the government's position and have accused Tories of stoking Islamophobia. On Wednesday, using the hashtag #DressCodePM, Twitter users mocked Harper's comments about how Canadians should dress. In a blog post, Shireen Ahmed urged Canadians to tweet, writing "all women are part of, and will always be welcome in the ‘Canadian family’ in any outfit she chooses."

[yahoonewsdigest-ca]

#dresscodePM: Harper’s 'anti-women' niqab comments spark backlash

Politics

#dresscodePM: Harper’s 'anti-women' niqab comments spark backlash

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s comments on women, the niqab and Muslim culture is facing significant—and sometimes amusing—backlash online. On Tuesday afternoon during question period, in response to a question from Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, Harper told the House of Commons that such face coverings like niqabs come from a culture that’s “anti-women.” “The leader of the Liberal Party continues to bring up his position on the niqab, not seeming to understand why almost all Canadians oppose the wearing of face coverings during citizenship ceremonies,” the prime minister said. Harper’s words were quickly criticized on Twitter, with some wondering whether a government that would ban women from wearing something—anything, whether religious or otherwise—is itself “anti-women.” The next morning Globe and Mail columnist Tabatha Southey, who’d taken to questioning Harper’s stated position on niqabs via social media, started the #dresscodePM hashtag.

Just about to get dressed, was thinking white blouse, green Celine skirt, white tights, is that ok, @pmharper? #dresscodePM

Tabatha Southey, Globe and Mail columnist via Twitter

About a month ago, Harper said face coverings while taking the Canadian citizenship oath is “offensive,” after a court ruling had deemed a ban on the niqab unlawful. Harper promised the Conservative government would appeal that ruling, and did so earlier this week. The prime minister’s stance was singled out by Trudeau in a speech delivered in Toronto Monday night. The Liberal leader said the government is stoking fear and prejudice in Canadians with anti-Muslim rhetoric. Trudeau, though, himself was not without criticism. In the speech delivered Monday evening he compared the government’s words and actions these days to those of previous Canadian governments during “dark” periods of history—internment camps and turning away boats of Jewish refugees, for example.