Edmonton MP and Canada's Minister of Multiculturalism, Tim Uppal, is defending his decision to introduce a last-minute bill banning the niqab - a veil worn over the face by some Muslim women - at citizenship ceremonies.
Uppal tabled the bill on June 19, just hours before parliament broke for the summer, the second attempt by the Harper government to ban the niqab.
"We believe that most Canadians including new Canadians would find it offensive that someone would cover their face at the very moment they're joining the Canadian family," said Uppal on Edmonton AM Wednesday morning.
Uppal's stance is being criticized by some as hypocritical as he himself wears a turban. [CBC/Radio-Canada] Read more
