Bloc Qubcois targets NDP over niqabs, pipelines in controversial new ad

The Bloc Qubcois is facing criticism for a new campaign ad that aims to win back support from the NDP in Quebec.

The ad, released online today, showsoil leaking from a pipeline then morphinginto a niqab and slamsthe New Democrats for their position on both issues.

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The messagedrew swift criticism online, with NDP spokespersonKarl Blangertweeting the "National Front" has entered the campaign a reference to the far-right party in France.

In the ad, the BlocQubcoiswarnsanew pipeline is coming "even if we don't want it" if Thomas Mulcair's NDP wins the election.

It also says Mulcair has no problem with a niqab being worn during a citizenship ceremony, a reference to a Federal Court of Appeal decision this week that ruled a woman could wear a niqab while swearing the oath.

In an interview, Bloc spokesperson Dominique Vallires said the ad wasonlymeant to point out hisparty'spositions on the two issues.

When it comes to the niqab, Valliressaid the Bloc would go farther than the Conservatives, who announced Friday it will seek a stay of the court decision in Ishaq's case.

"They want it just for citizenship,"Valliressaid of the Conservatives.

"We say the niqab should not be allowed for the citizenship ceremony and to vote."

He alsosaid nothing sinister should be read into the decision to transition directly from a blob of oilto a niqab.

"There's nothing to link between the two," he said. "I think the people that did the ad connected the two because both are dark in colour."

Vallieresaddedthat polls suggest manyQuebecersagree with the Bloc's policy on theniqab.

Online, however, people were quick to slam the ad as xenophobic and racist.

Mulcairhas previously criticized the Harper government's decision to appeal the ruling.

"I see that Muslims are often scapegoats for political debate.And that, I find it heartbreaking," he said in June.

Not everyone in the party agrees with his position, however.

Jean-FranoisDelisle, anNDP candidate in the MganticL'rable, told The Canadian Press on Fridayhe believes theniqabshould not be allowed while taking the citizenship oath.

He said ifMulcairopens the constitution to abolish the Senate, he could also take the opportunity to redefine the limits of religious freedom.