In his new citizenship guide, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney deliberately decided to omit references to the legalization of gay marriage in Canada or the protection of the legal rights of all Canadians regardless of their sexual orientation. That’s not the only thing Minister Kenney left out, Liberal MP Scott Brison said today.
“It’s becoming more and more clear that the Conservatives did not intend this to be a Canadian citizenship guide, but instead a Conservative citizenship guide,” said Mr. Brison. “Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms has helped make Canada one of the most progressive societies in the world and a magnet for those seeking equality. You can’t take away from the Charter the rights you like and ignore the rest.”
The following facts about Canada also don’t appear to be important enough to Minister Kenney to merit a mention in his guide:
• Canada has laws against propagating hate.
• No mention of Peacekeeping, the Canadian flag debate, or the legacy of Lester Pearson.
• No mention of Pierre Trudeau or his role in repatriating the Constitution in 1982.
• Canada played a role in the mission in Rwanda.
• A Canadian, John Humphrey, spearheaded the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• Canada’s literary, dance, and music icons have left their mark on the world, but none are mentioned in the guide.
• Nellie McClung, a leader of Canada’s suffragette movement, is not mentioned.
• While prominent Conservatives like John A. Macdonald, George-Étienne Cartier, and Robert Borden are featured, Canada’s longest service Prime Minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, is not mentioned.
