leitch-uncanadian_thumb-1.png
leitch-uncanadian_thumb-1.png This article is more than 7 years old

VIDEO: Conservative leadership candidate accuses Kellie Leitch of running ‘un-Canadian’ campaign

"I believe this debate is fear mongering, anti-human rights and a very un-Canadian response to an issue that in my opinion does not exist."

pressprogress-bannerad-watchourvideo.gif

Another battle line has been drawn in the race to replace Stephen Harper.

In recent days, Conservatives have seen their leadership hopefuls accuse one another of being “out-of-touch elites,” accuse one another of improper expenses and complain their phone conversations are being secretly recorded by the Conservative House Leader.

Now another Conservative leadership candidate who is no stranger to heated exchanges is wading into the fray.

In a YouTube video posted to his campaign’s website, Deepak Obhrai says Leitch’s campaign to stir up resentment against immigrants is “very un-Canadian.”

In the video, Obhrai – a Calgary-area Conservative MP who was born in Tanzania and immigrated to Canada in the 1970s – calls Leitch’s proposal to force immigrants to undergo ideological purity tests to screen for “anti-Canadian values” nothing more than “fear mongering” and says it’s “anti-human rights”:

“I believe this debate is fear mongering, anti-human rights and a very un-Canadian response to an issue that in my opinion does not exist.”

And Obhrai also took issue with another of Leitch’s proposals: the barbaric cultural practices hotline.

The widely ridiculed proposal made international headlines after Leitch proposed establishing a phone number for Canadian citizens to call-in and report incidents of polygamy and honour killings – things already illegal under Canadian law, as Obhrai points out:

“The barbaric hotline was one example of where our misplaced priority was. There is no immediate crisis regarding barbaric practices, or so-called barbaric practices in this country because we have the laws and the freedom and the protection.” 

Obhrai suggests historic examples of discrimination and racial inequality in Canada, including the Japanese internment, residential schools and the “turning back of migrant boats” also “arose from fear mongering,” adding countries that reject “diversity” and embrace xenophobia as Leitch would have “all imploded”:

Conservative leadership candidate Brad Trost has previously warned Leitch’s “anti-Canadian values” proposal would effectively ban conservatives from immigrating to Canada – and many Conservative MPs too.

When pressed, Leitch wouldn’t rule out the possibility that Catholics might be banned from Canada under her own rules as well.

Photo: Facebook.

Our journalism is powered by readers like you.

We’re an award-winning non-profit news organization that covers topics like social and economic inequality, big business and labour, and right-wing extremism.

Help us build so we can bring to light stories that don’t get the attention they deserve from Canada’s big corporate media outlets.

 

Donate
PressProgress
PressProgress is an award-winning non-profit news organization focused on uncovering and unpacking the news through original investigative and explanatory journalism.

Most Shared

South Asian Studies Institute NEWS

Take Back Alberta Leaders are Training ‘Scrutineers’ to Infiltrate Campaigns and Act as ‘Security’ on Voting Day

Related Stories

NEWS

“Where is Our Museum?” asks Punjabi and broader South Asian Canadian community in BC

View the post
NEWS

Toronto Police Arrested A Striking Worker At York University. Labour Experts Are Concerned Police Infringed on Charter Rights.

View the post
NEWS

Take Back Alberta Founder Vows to Fight Election Watchdog’s Investigation Into Donors

View the post
Our free email newsletter delivers award-winning journalism directly to your inbox.
Get Canadian Investigative News You Won't Find in Corporate Newspapers.
Our free email newsletter delivers award-winning journalism to your inbox.
Get Canadian Investigative News You Won't Find in Corporate Newspapers.