Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch says her proposal to vet newcomers for anti-Canadian values has everything to do with promoting tolerance and respect – and nothing to do with singling out Muslims or otherwise stoking divisions.
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It generated a lot of reaction among political observers, including Conservatives, especially since Leitch had previously expressed regret for promoting a controversial Conservative election campaign promise previous year to set up a tip line for so-called “barbaric cultural practices”.
She said she would see potential immigrants screened for values like intolerance toward other religions and violent or misogynist behaviour.
“Right now we ask individuals what their income is”, Leitch said. I don’t think their values were similar to the values of the native Indians then, as they violated the sanctity of the natives, destroyed their livelihoods and killed many.
He said his 10-point national security plan will involve giving the RCMP and security agencies more tools to fight terrorism, but declined to go into details.
Bernier noted that Michael Zehaf Bibeau, the gunman who stormed Parliament Hill almost two years ago after fatally shooting an honour guard at the nearby National War Memorial, was born in Canada.
“I know what I’d like to do”, said Raitt, adding that there is still more work to be done behind the scenes before she will reveal her decision.
The idea was first floated in a questionnaire her campaign emailed to thousands of potential supporters last week.
Neither did the statement from Leitch, but Bernier noted another question in the survey was about how Canada should respond to terrorist threats.
Mr. Clement was, at various times, treasury board president, industry minister and health minister under Stephen Harper’s government from 2006 to 2015.
In a news release announcing that he has submitted his paperwork, Obhrai said he would make promoting diversity part of his campaign.
Bernier says he wants to focus his leadership campaign on the economy and thinks Conservatives will end up rallying behind a candidate who promotes policies that both unify the party and show the country the Tories are ready to govern again.
“I wish to break the proverbial glass ceiling on institutional discrimination”. “I stand with young Canadians, new Canadians; with ALL Canadians”.
But with discussion over the Leitch proposal still dominating the otherwise sleepy leadership campaign and other candidates speaking up, Clement said Thursday he chose to comment to keep the issue from overshadowing his policy announcement next week.
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“What I am really concerned about is the tone and the message this question puts forward”, said fellow candidate Deepak Obhrai.
