Minister Chris Alexander and Citizenship Oath

Canadian family: Harper sparked the criticism after vowing last week to appeal a court ruling that allowed a Muslim woman to take the citizenship oath without removing her niqab, a religious face-covering garment that leaves only the eyes exposed, according to Brandon Sun. Harper said it "offensive" to hide one identity while joining "the Canadian family." Citizenship and Immigration Minister Chris Alexander went further in a subsequent email to Conservative supporters, urging them to sign an online petition in support of Harper remarks; he suggested Muslim women should not be allowed to take the oath while wearing a hijab, which covers the head but not the face. "Canada diversity is our great and unique strength," Trudeau said in an interview with The Canadian Press. "We are the one country in the world that has figured out how to be strong, not in spite of our differences but because of them. The Liberal leader says Harper stance — which the Conservative party has enthusiastically embraced to rally support, raise money and pad its voter data base — is unworthy of a prime minister in such a diverse, multicultural country. So, the prime minister of this country has a responsibility to bring people together in this country, not to divide us by pandering to some people fears." Harper approach "frays away the edges of our multicultural fabric ... stoking and pandering to fears rather than allaying them," he added. This is a society that is transparent, open and where people are equal." Harper made his comments in Quebec, where popular support for his government tough-on-terrorism stance may be boosting Conservative party fortunes as it prepares for an election in eight months. What more, "it unworthy of someone who is prime minister for all Canadians." A spokesman for the prime minister declined to comment on Trudeau criticism, saying there was nothing to add beyond what Harper said last week: "I believe, and I think most Canadians believe, that it is offensive that someone would hide their identity at the very moment where they are committing to join the Canadian family. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.