Statement from the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship and the Minister of Justice

OTTAWA, Nov. 16, 2015 /CNW/ - The Honourable John McCallum, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, and the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice, today issued the following statement:

"On November 16, 2015, the Attorney General of Canada notified the Supreme Court of Canada that it has discontinued its application for leave to appeal in the case of Minister of Citizenship and Immigration v. Ishaq. The Federal Court of Canada found that the policy requiring women who wear the niqab to unveil themselves to take the Oath of Citizenship is unlawful on administrative law grounds, and the Federal Court of Appeal upheld this ruling. The government respects the decision of both courts and will not seek further appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. 

"Canada's diversity is among its greatest strengths, and today we have ensured that successful citizenship candidates continue to be included in the Canadian family. We are a strong and united country because of, not in spite of, our differences."

SOURCE Citizenship and Immigration Canada

(media only), please contact: Department of Justice, Media Relations Central Line, 613-957-4207, [email protected]; Media Relations, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, 613-952-1650, [email protected]