Justin Trudeau's government drops controversial niqab appeal

The federal government hasformally withdrawn a controversial court challenge involving the niqab,saysJodyWilson-Raybouldin her first actas Canada's attorney general and justice minister.

The Conservatives had asked the Supreme Court of Canada to heara request for an appeal of a court decisionallowing women to wear face veils such as the niqabat Canadian citizenship ceremonies.

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"As a government, we uphold and respect the decisions of the two courts," saidWilson-Raybouldduring a news conference in Ottawa on Monday.

"In all of our policy as a government we will ensure that we respect the values that make us Canadians, those of diversity, inclusion and respect for those fundamental values."

The case started with a lawsuit from Zunera Ishaq, a devout Muslimwhoagreed to remove her niqab for an official before writing and passing her citizenship test two years ago. However, sheobjectedto unveiling in public at the oath-taking ceremony.

Ishaq successfully challenged theConservativegovernment's ban on wearing the niqab while taking part in the oath of citizenship.

The Conservatives appealed the ruling, but Ishaq took the oath last month.

Ishaq thankful for Liberal government's support

Wilson-Raybould said shespoke with Ishaq earlier today and was "pleased" to inform her of the government's decision.

"We had a good conversation," she said.

In a telephone interview with CBC News, Ishaq said she was excited and honoured to speak with the minister, calling today's announcement a "verygood gesture from thegovernment insupporting minorities."

"I'm very thankful for the government's support and understanding in this case and I want to thank the minister who took the time to talk to me."

Former prime minister Stephen Harper had previously saidmost Canadians believed it was "offensive" for would-be citizens to hide their faceat the moment they become Canadian.

A public-opinion poll ordered by the Harper government before the recent federal election foundCanadians overwhelmingly infavour of a niqab ban at citizenship ceremonies.

The issue of whether women should be able to wear the niqab during citizenship ceremonies became a controversial topic in the campaign. The Conservatives argued thatfacecoveringsshould be banned during citizenship ceremonies. The Liberals and the NDP said women should be able to wear the niqab a position saidto have cost the NDP support in Quebec.

Ishaq told CBC News she was "very sad" to see the niqabbecome a "divisive issue" during the election campaign.

"That was definitely...painful."

"The ex-prime minister tried to manipulate the people but the results have shown us that general Canadians are sensible people, they know and do accept cultural differences...," Ishaq said.

The mother of three small childrensaid she felt "a little unsafe" in the last weeks of the election campaign, following a series of incidents of verbal and physical abuse against Muslim women.

Ishaqwas granted Canadian citizenship in time to vote in the general election of Oct. 19.

"Itwas a wonderful experience," she said.