Two new public opinion polls underscore the concerns Canadians have about Muslim integration and immigration in Canada.
First of all, Forum Research has found that only 14% of people support M-103, Liberal MP Iqra Khalid's anti-discrimination motion that singles out Islamophobia.
The majority of respondents instead want the wording changed so that it either doesn't single out an individual religion, or names all of them. As listing every religion practiced by Canadians would be a maddening exercise, we opt for the first option.
Over the past few months, Liberal politicians and their backers in the media have tried to ram a narrative down Canadians’ throats that this motion is nothing to worry about. They’ve even gone great lengths to ridicule its critics.
Clearly Canadians don’t care what their betters think. They reject this motion and we don’t blame them. The Liberals should have taken the laurel leaf extended by numerous Conservative MPs and revised its wording.
Meanwhile, a poll by Montreal-based firm CROP shows a full 75% of Canadians support some form of anti-Canadian values screenings for new immigrants to Canada.
The study, commissioned by the French-language division of CBC, doesn’t name Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch, but her social media statements on Monday clearly show she feels vindicated.
As she should. This is another idea the liberal elites have worked overtime trying to tear apart. To us, it’s always been a no-brainer.
While we’d still like to know more about the logistics of it, the basic idea is hardly controversial. As Anthony Furey explained in a recent column, many northern European countries conduct such values screening measures.
The CROP poll also reveals 25% of Canadians support a ban on Muslim immigration. While we don’t support such a ban, this significant percentage highlights a troubling reality within Canadian public opinion.
Canada has a deserved reputation as a country where diversity, tolerance and respect are foundational parts of our way of life.
We risk eroding our culture both by failing to reach those who fear immigration from any group, and by failing to ensure those coming here understand the values of their new home.
Turning a blind or politically correct eye to either serves no one.
This article was originally published on the Toronto Sun website on March 13, 2017, and can be viewed on their site by clicking here.