Procedure and House Affairs committee  Thank you very much. I'd like to also just add that as a Canadian who happens to be Muslim, I would appreciate that all motions and rules and regulations be made in the larger interest of democracy and following the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which has equality for all and no gender segregation.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I agree with Mr. Harris that there should be no exceptions, because this is perceived on the outside that there is a very fine line between accommodation and nuisance value. The people here may not be aware of the fact that this creates a sort of angst against the Muslim community when this continues to be a Muslim issue.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I would like to start by asking another question and saying that this is a secular country where there's separation between state and religion, so why is Elections Canada using this terminology about Muslim women and the veil? This is my question to them. Obviously, they have misunderstood this whole concept.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  No, we have not been consulted.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Yes, the answer is 300. It was in a press release in the newspaper that I got this information. The number of Muslims, I believe, at this point, is 850,000—no, 750,000, I'm told.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  I understand that across Canada there are only about 300 women who actually cover their faces. While they may not be pushing it, I'd like to mention, in response to what you said, that Morocco has been mentioned, but in an Islamic country like Iran all women have to show their faces before they can cast ballots.

Procedure and House Affairs committee  Good morning, Mr. Chairman. My name is Raheel Raza. I am president of the Forum For Learning, an author, and a journalist. As I came here today, I discovered that since September 2007, photo ID is mandatory at all airports, even for domestic flights. Right here, before entering this building, we had to show photo ID.