NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair has called U.S. President Donald Trumpâs temporary ban on travellers from seven Muslim-majority countries âracistâ and demanded that the prime minister condemn the order.
Speaking at an emergency debate Tuesday evening, Mulcair said it is Canadaâs role to stand up against âpeople who peddle politics of fearâ and asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to issue a formal statement that Canada opposes the ban.
âWe have the obligation to speak out,â Mulcair said in the House of Commons.
Trumpâs executive order, issued Friday, puts a 90-day freeze on all travellers to the U.S. from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan. It also suspends Americaâs refugee program for at least four months, a move that has left thousands in limbo.
The order sparked a wave of protests around the world, from New York City to Nunavut, and has been legally challenged by at least three U.S. states.
Trudeau tweeted Saturday that Canadians will welcome those fleeing âpersecution, terror and war ⌠regardless of your faith.â
To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength
â Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau)
Speaking to Trudeauâs tweet, Mulcair questioned the prime ministerâs response, saying, âIs that our foreign policy?â
He ended by suggesting that the Liberals havenât done enough to call out Trumpâs actions using harsher language, saying that the NDP will ânever satisfy itself with vague sentences.â
Trudeau did not attend the meeting. But Minister of Immigration Ahmed Hussen defended the prime ministerâs response to the ban and said that the government will continue working with the White House to minimize the banâs negative impact on Canadians.
He added that anyone carrying a valid Canadian visitor visa stranded north of the border because of the new U.S. policy will be able to request to extend their stay in Canada âas needed.â
âThe prime minister has made it very clear that Canada will continue to be a place of refuge for people fleeing persecution and war in the world,â Hussen said.
The minister added that Canadians have set a global precedent when it comes to welcoming refugees in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. Hussen said the government plans to âcarry on this proud tradition.â
The emergency meeting, requested by an NDP MP, was called specifically to discuss the travel ban.