Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday September 7, 2016
Kellie Leitch defends ‘anti-Canadian values’ survey question
Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch is defending a contentious survey question from her campaign team that asked supporters what they think about vetting would-be immigrants and refugees for “anti-Canadian values.”
May 4, 2016
The survey made headlines on Thursday, with at least one Conservative strategist calling for her to withdraw from the race.
“Canadians can expect to hear more, not less from me, on this topic in the coming months,” Leitch wrote in an emailed statement.
“Screening potential immigrants for anti-Canadian values that include intolerance towards other religions, cultures and sexual orientations, violent and/or misogynist behaviour and/or a lack of acceptance of our Canadian tradition of personal and economic freedoms is a policy proposal that I feel very strongly about.”
September 22, 2015
The rest of the survey, which was sent to those who signed up for news from the Leitch campaign, gauges support on a variety of issues, including electoral reform, corporate tax cuts and the legalization and regulation of marijuana for recreational use.
One question refers to denying citizenship to someone who recants the pledge to the Queen after taking it; another asks about incarcerating terrorists instead of providing “therapy and counselling.”
“Oftentimes, debating and discussing these complex policies requires tough conversations — conversations that go well beyond media sound bites and simplified labels,” wrote Leitch.
“I am committed to having these conversations, to debating theses issues, and I invite Canadians to give their feedback.” (Source CBC News)