St. Catharines, Ontario MP Lauds Decision To Prohibit Face Coverings During Citizenship Ceremony

(Niagara At Large is posting this December 13 media release from St. Catharines MP Rick Dystra for your information. We also invite you to share your views on this issue below.)

St. Catharines MP Rick Dykstra

St. Catharines – Rick Dykstra, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, says he wholeheartedly supports a directive, announced yesterday by Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to ban the wearing of face coverings during the citizenship ceremony.

This is something our department has been aware of as an issue for some time”, said Dykstra.  “Other MP’s, as well as citizenship judges have told us that the oath cannot properly be recited behind a veil or other type of covering and that those taking the oath must do in an atmosphere of openness and transparency.”
This pronouncement will take effect immediately and ensure that all new Canadians undertake their citizenship on a level playing field and that there are not two classes of citizens when taking the oath.

“Canadian citizenship is more than just the right to carry a passport or to vote”, said Dykstra. “It defines who we are as Canadians, including our mutual responsibilities to one another and we believe that this new rule is the best way to honour it.”