OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – The unions representing federal workers are speaking out against the possibility of a ban on the niqab in the public service.
When asked on the campaign trail, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper wouldn’t rule out such a ban and said he is examining legislation from Quebec which forces all public workers to show their face while at work.
Three of the largest unions and associations representing federal workers are against the idea of a ban. They say this is a non-issue since none of them are even aware of any of their members wearing a niqab.
Emmanuelle Tremblay with the Canadian Association of Professional Employees accuses the Conservatives of trying to distract voters from the real issues. “Trying to hide the poor economy, the Duffy scandal, the fact that they haven’t acted on climate change.”
Steve Hindle, the vice president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, says a ban would be a breach of their collective agreement with the government.
“Our collective agreements say there will be no discrimination based on religion and the normal other grounds in the Canadian Human Rights Act — religion is one of them,” says Hindle.
“It’s entirely possible that there would be a challenge to any such rule that they try to put in,” he adds.
In response to all this, a Conservative spokesperson points out the party is examining the issue and hasn’t actually proposed a ban.
Harper has said his party’s views on the niqab are in line with the majority of Canadians’.