Harper’s niqab comments spark #dresscodePM hashtag

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s comments on women, the niqab and Muslim culture is facing significant—and sometimes amusing—backlash online.

On Tuesday afternoon during question period, in response to a question from Liberal leader Justin Trudeau, Harper told the House of Commons that such face coverings like niqabs comes from a culture that’s “anti-women.”

“The leader of the Liberal Party continues to bring up his position on the niqab, not seeming to understand why almost all Canadians oppose the wearing of face coverings during citizenship ceremonies,” the prime minister said.

“It is very easy to understand. We do not allow people to cover their faces during citizenship ceremonies,” he continued. “Why would Canadians, contrary to our own values, embrace a practice at that time that is not transparent, that is not open and frankly is rooted in a culture that is anti-women. That is unacceptable to Canadians.”

The prime minister’s words were quickly criticized on Twitter, with some wondering whether a government that would ban women from wearing something—anything, whether religious or otherwise—is itself “anti-women.”

The next morning Globe and Mail columnist Tabatha Southey, who’d taken to questioning Harper’s stated position on niqabs via social media, kicked off the #dresscodePM hashtag.

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About a month ago, Harper said face coverings while taking the Canadian citizenship oath is “offensive,” after a court ruling had deemed a ban on the niqab unlawful. Harper promised the Conservative government would appeal that ruling, and did so earlier this week.

The prime minister’s stance was singled out by Trudeau in a speech delivered in Toronto Monday night. The Liberal leader said the government is stoking fear and prejudice in Canadians with anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Trudeau, though, himself was not without criticism. In the speech delivered Monday evening he compared the government’s words and actions these days to those of previous Canadian governments during “dark” periods of history—internment camps and during away boats of Jewish refugees, for example.

NDP leader Tom Mulcair told reporters Wednesday morning that both Harper and Trudeau have been using divisive language, and referencing the Holocaust in such a way is “singularly inappropriate.”

“The real tests of rights and freedoms is when you’re willing to defend them, no matter what the circumstance,” he said in response to a question about Harper’s niqab stance and citizenship ceremony.