What do you think?

I think Harper could have handled the situation better. I was appaled when I read the headlines. Yes, it is important during elections to identify who is voting. But he could have explored other solutions and compromises. According to the CBC article, only a few hundred women wear the full veil at all times. It indicated that many of those would be willing to show their faces briefly when checking in for voting (just like they would have to if they were flying or crossing a border). Then they can put the veil back on, and proceed to vote. Another solution proposed would be to have a family member in attendance vouch for their identity (as well as provide two forms of identification). I think this too would be an acceptable alternative for those that absolutely don't want to show their faces. I think Harper could have delivered the message with a little more tact. He could have tried to work with Elections Canada to come to a compromise, instead of putting his foot down and looking like an insensitive oaf (can you tell I'm not a Harper fan?).

Wow do I ever have mixed feelings on this issue. On one hand I think when coming to our country you should go along with the rules and laws of this country. We should be able to have rules and regulations as they pertain to voting and if people are unwilling to abide by them then they don't need to vote. On the other hand we are a country that accepts immigrants as citizens and we should accept people for who they are, burka or no burkas. I just think that to avoid fraud we should be able to identify these people and confirm they are who they say they are. Either way Harper is lucky to get one vote and I hope that the country sends him packing in the next election. I think my cat could run this country better.

I'm not sure what to make of this one so I will generalize on Mr. Harper. At first I liked him because he seemed genuinly warming relations a bit between our countries. Then I realized he was doing it at the expense of your country. My BIG issue with him is as follows: People here claim George Bush is slowly turning his presidency in to a dictatorship. There is a conspiricy theory out there that he is going to get the 2008 elecytions canceled even though our condtitution and government structure makes this virtualy impossible. BUT, Mr Harper has actualy done this. Your prime ministers have far more power than our presidents. This is too much power in the hands of one man. I still say the best thing that can happen for canada is a revolution, a coup if you will, to break away from Brittan and reform from a parlimentary monarchy to a federal republic of sorts, a more represenative governmnt in the hands of it's citizens.