When her ancestors immigrated to Canada, they were not questioned about “Canadian values” before they were allowed to enter the country.
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In August, Trump vowed to block immigrants who sympathize with extremist groups or don’t embrace American values.
“This is a fundamentally a different conversation than what people are trying to depict it as”, said Leitch. “I stand with young Canadians, new Canadians; with ALL Canadians”.
Conservative leadership candidate Tony Clement says he will propose enhanced security screening for immigrants – but not a values test – as part of a broader plan for countering the threat of terrorism. “I do get that, but I don’t think it’s fair and I don’t think it’s right”, Leitch said.
Ms. Leitch told The Globe this week her proposal is about promoting tolerance and equality, and she wants to have a discussion about what constitutes a “unified Canadian identity”, which in her eyes constitutes equality of opportunity, hard work, generosity, freedom and tolerance.
“I believe that, at the end of the day, Conservatives will unite…” he went on.
In other words, they would screen for anti-Canadian values.
“This is about protecting Canadian values and people that believe that women are property, that they can be beaten and bought or sold, or believe that gays or lesbians should be stoned because of who they love, don’t share in my opinion, basic Canadian values”, Leitch said.
Conservative leadership candidate Maxime Bernier says the best way to promote Canadian values is to provide new immigrants with economic opportunities to help them integrate into society – not screen them for unwelcome attitudes.
But he disagreed with the idea of vetting immigrants and not just because he does not believe it would work.
When asked about who in Canada is stoning people in the LGBT community, Leitch pointed to “international news in other countries”.
Bernier’s comments echo those made by interim party leader Rona Ambrose on CTV’s Question Period, which aired Sunday.
“By bringing these Conservative core values and merging them with Inclusiveness and Diversity Policies, Deepak believes the Conservative Party will be a home for all Canadians, and ensure that Canada not only continues to be a leader on the world stage but is economically responsible to its citizens as well”.
“I wish to break the proverbial glass ceiling on institutional discrimination”, Obhrai said in a news release announcing that he has submitted his paperwork.
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During the 2015 federal election campaign, Leitch helped promote a controversial Conservative promise to establish a tip line for so-called “barbaric cultural practices” aimed at helping the RCMP enforce a law aimed at cracking down on things like forced marriages.
