Trudeau, Mulcair go on the offensive over niqab issue in 2nd French-language debate

NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeauwent on the offensive over the issue of the niqabinthe second French-language debate Friday night, turning the issue around toattack Conservative Leader Stephen Harper concerninghis own policies regardingwomen'srights.

Mulcair and Trudeauopposethe Conservative government's ban on the wearing of the face veilwhile taking the Canadian citizenship oath.The right to wear theniqabwas a hot topic in the previous French-language debate and has continued to be a campaign issue.Polls suggesta vast majority of Canadians support the Tories on this issue, but the strongest support isin Quebec.

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• Niqabposition of NDP, Liberals not shared by some Quebec candidates
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Mulcair admitted thatthe face veil makes him"uncomfortable" and said that"no one here is pro-niqab."

But he accusedHarper of using the issue as "a weapon of massivedistraction," while ignoringmore importantwomen's issues like an inquiry into missing and murderedaboriginalwomen.

Mulcair asked Harper why, if the niqabissue was such a priority,did he wait so long until the election to make it an issue.

"You had 10 years to change this," Mulcair said to Harper."You tabled this on the last day of the last month of your mandateof 10 years."

He saidHarper wasplaying a "dangerous game," andtargeting a community to play politics.

"It'sundignifiedof a Canadian prime minister."

But Harper accused Mulcair ofattempting to change the subject, "because your position is entirely disconnected from the reality ofCanada and the opinion of Canadians and Quebecers.

"The reality isthat we recognize that from time to time, we must not hide ouridentity. We do that for reasonable reasons and it's necessary tohave legislation, it's supported by the population, we want toencourage equality between men and women in Canada."

Trudeauchanged the topic to abortion, saying that heand many Quebecers are pro-choice, while pointing out that a number of Conservative candidates areanti-abortion.

"You have a lot of nerve to come here talking about Quebec values and defending women you have more men in yourcaucus who are anti-abortion than there are women wearing the niqab in Quebec," Trudeau told Harper.

He then demanded that Harper state whether he is pro-choice or against.

Harper rejected Trudeau's question,saying that abortion has never been part of his party's agenda, and turned the discussion back to the niqab.

"Mr. Trudeau, you talk about divisions. The onlydivisions here are between the NDP and the Liberals with the rest of
the population. Almost all public opinion is in favour of a policyof taking the oath of citizenship without a [face]covering."

Trudeau vs. Mulcair

Earlier,Trudeau and Mulcair attempted to stake their claim as the agent of change in the second French-language debate,accusing each other of supporting Harper's policies.

Mulcairsaid Trudeauhas voted in favour of numerous Harper budgets, supported Bill C-51, the controversial anti-terrorism legislation and supported him on Keystone.

"Youhave the same economic, environmental and social policies as him," Mulcair said.We'vevoted against Mr. Harper, we want to defeat him and replacehim."

"You'll spend a lot of timetrying to change the subject and attack me personally, but you don'thave a plan to invest right now."

But Trudeau shot back that "on the issue of the economy, which isof most importance to Canadians, despite the failure of Mr. Harper'seconomic policy, you chose to balance his budget."

"Mr. Trudeau, no one is attacking you personally,it's a simple fact, verifiable that you voted in favour of Mr.Harper's budgets," Mulcair said.

The debate covered many of the same topics as previous rounds, including the economy, environment, Syrian refugee crisis and thebattle against ISIS.

On that lattertopic, Bloc Quebecois Leader GillesDuceppeseemed to take a more hawkish linethan Harper, and ridiculed Trudeau's opposition to Canada having a combat role.

"What Idon'tunderstand is your intention to avoid interventionto stop ISIS," Duceppe said. "Youcanhead over there witha bouquetof flowers and a bag of groceries andsay we're here tohelprefugees. I don't think the religious fanatics are going to sit down and have a lunch with you. We need to intervene militarily."

Trans-Pacific Partnership

Another hot issue in Quebec isthe Trans-Pacific Partnership, an internationaltrade pact currently being negotiated in Atlanta that concernsdairy farmers in Quebec, whofearthe deal will erode the supply management system of tariffs and production quotas.

Trudeau accused Harper of negotiating the deal in secret, while Mulcair and Duceppe asked Harper if he would be protecting supply management in its entirety.

Harper said his government hasalways been clear that it will keep thesystem intact and protect supply management.

The debate also touched on the subject of legalization of marijuana, something Trudeau has proposed. Harper challenged the Liberal leader on his position.

"If we sellmarijuana in stores like alcohol and tobacco that will protect ourkids? No one believes that," Harper said.

"The reality is that we have kids who find it easierto buy marijuanathan cigarettes and beer," Trudeau responded."If a young person buysmarijuana, it's because he had contact directly with a criminal. Wewill continue to control marijuana like cigarettes and alcohol notto sell them in corner stores. It will be harder for them to getaccess."

But there were also humorous moments at the debate. At one point Trudeau mistakenly referred to Duceppe as "mon amour" (my love)instead of "mon ami" (my friend). Before that Trudeauhad corrected Duceppewhen hereferred to former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney as ArtCarney (the actor best known for his role in The Honeymooners).

The debatein Montrealcomes as the NDPs' support in Quebec continues to drop, while polls suggest the race has evolved into a two-way contest between the Conservatives and Liberals.

Mulcair needed a strong showing tonight as this debate, along with his appearanceon the popularToutleMondeenParletalk show,could be his best opportunities tostem the bleeding.

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