Jason Kenney, Once Hellbent On Upholding Niqab Ban, Can't Stop Welcoming Muslims
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An Alberta Progressive Conservative leadership hopeful wants Muslim Canadians to know they have and will always be welcome in Alberta — but the message has some wondering when Jason Kenney changed his tune.
The former federal immigration minister posted a video to YouTube Tuesday, condemning Sunday's shooting attack at a Quebec mosque that left six people dead and 19 injured. (Watch the video embedded above.)
Kenney highlights how Alberta was home to Canada's first mosque and that current Calgary mayor Naheed Nenshi is the first Muslim to lead a major Canadian city.
Jason Kenney has stood in support of Canada's Mulism community in recent weeks. (Photo: The Canadian Press)
"Let us all find ways to embrace our Muslim friends and all people of faith to ensure that this continues to be a place of freedom and security for generations to come," he said.
He also thanked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his "thoughtful and compassionate words" following the attack.
Thank-you to Prime Minister Trudeau for his thoughtful & compassionate words responding to the Quebec terror attack: https://t.co/Gu20sycUQ5
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 31, 2017
However, it's a stance that's confusing for Canadians who recall Kenney's 2011 directive forbidding Muslim women from wearing niqabs while taking the oath of citizenship.
@jkenney @BitumenBubble @YouTube I think Kennys account got jacked 😂
— Just Me (@HotShotAndy) January 31, 2017
@jkenney niqab ban, snitch lines, fake citizen ceremonies don't sound welcoming to me.
— officialdoubter (@polycan6632) February 1, 2017
It wasn't Trump who tried to ban the Niqab at Canadian citizenship ceremonies. No. that was Harper and Kenney. #cdnpoli
— Kathleen Smith (@KikkiPlanet) January 30, 2017
Kenney was serving as immigration minister at the time when the ban was imposed.
At the time, Kenney said the niqab represented a view of women unacceptable in Canada.
The Conservatives fought a hard battle to uphold the ban after a Muslim woman from Mississauga, Ont. launched a lawsuit against the government after she objected to unveiling her face in public for the official oath-taking ceremony.
The government lost in Federal Court and again at the Federal Court of Appeal before going all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada to try to reinstate its ban. In the end, the government lost the fight, which cost them more than $400,000.
Despite Kenney's complicated past with the Canadian Muslim community, some see his recent support of religious freedoms as a welcome change.
@asifintoronto Actually, I think that @jkenney deserves some credit for his recent statements. 1/2
— Kevin Burke (@kevinjamesburke) January 31, 2017
@asifintoronto While other @CPC_HQ voices have been noticeably silent, @jkenney's been a voice of moderation, and principle.
— Kevin Burke (@kevinjamesburke) January 31, 2017
@HappyintheWest I disagree with @jkenney on most issues of policy / governance. But you are wrong here and I thank Mr. Kenney for his words.
— Ryan Wright (@ryanwright) January 31, 2017
Kenney took to Twitter over the weekend urging the Canadian government to welcome those stranded in the U.S. after President Donald Trump banned Syrian refugees and anyone with a passport from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the country.
Canada should offer temporary permits to welcome those stranded by the executive order, Kenney said. A move he called a "brutal, ham-fisted act of demagogic political theatre."
He also also shared a clip of his last words in the House of Commons as an MP, where he praised the role of immigrants and refugees in shaping Canada.
In light of the Executive Order, posting my last words in the House of Commons, where I talked about the refugees who helped to build Canada https://t.co/2t3lMhF5PV
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2017
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