         With Quebec and countries around the world like Austria introducing a face covering ban, things are likely going to get difficult for law enforcement.
                 The laws are essentially directed towards the burka and niqab that Muslim women wear to practice their faith and dress modestly, however, the laws are written a little more ambiguously though to as not infringe upon the rights of any particular group of people.
                 So, the laws in Austria permit masks or makeup at special events or covering your face for sickness or medical reasons. The law in Austria, however, meant that police were led to a store earlier in October to arrest a Lego Ninja mascot promoting merchandise and the Lego Ninjago movie because of the ambiguity surrounding the law.
                 In Canada, during our harsh winters, we’ll often bundle up to the point that only our eyes are visible and depending how long we’ll be in a store or on a bus for, we may not take that off – it’s a hassle to get all bundled up.
                 For security reasons, if someone needs to see someone’s face, then I do believe they need to show it. Going through the airport, verifying a bus pass, etc… however, because for some women covering the face is a religious choice, they should have the option of doing it in a closed room with a female security officer.
                 Some say I’m too liberal in my views sometimes, but I was raised to respect all people and although they may be different than me in their views of the world, we should still respect them as people. Our country was essentially built on immigration, so we have a wide variety of individuals with different beliefs and it’s important we honour who we are as a country.
                 We respect each other and have Rights and Freedoms in place to ensure this… a Freedom of Religion – which is stipulated in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms – is part of our foundation as a country, but the limit comes when it infringes upon someone else’s Rights and Freedoms; so, security and safety should be at the forefront of everything we do. Yet, at the same time we can’t be taking away someone else’s legal Rights and Freedoms.
                 People always talk about a melting pot when it comes to Western nations; however, someone once called what Western nations should be is a salad. A salad is made more delicious with each individual vegetable, meat, nut, seeds, dressing, etc… added to it; a salad would not be very good blended up into a smoothie. Our nation is the same; every culture adds something to who we are. I love living somewhere that I can learn about different cultures and religions; I love living somewhere that embraces foods from all over the world – I wish I could learn how to make bannock, butter chicken, pad Thai, and so much more, because I have fallen in love with each of those foods. That opportunity to enjoy such a variety of food never would have happened otherwise.
                 The world is small in this day and age. We are essentially global citizens as the world is so very interconnected.
                 So, yes, security and ensuring safety of citizens should be at the forefront of every law made – which I think it is – but, when it comes to facial coverings it needs to be an across the board law which includes balaclavas, scarfs, costumes, etc…
