Canada's government has introduced a ban on the wearing of veils while swearing the oath of citizenship¹.

加拿大政府宣布禁止在公民宣誓的时候戴面纱。

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney told a news conference in Montreal anyone wanting to become a Canadian would have to show their face.

He said citizenship judges and MPs had complained it could be hard to tell if veiled applicants² were actually reciting the oath.

An estimated 940,000 Muslims live in Canada, about 2.8% of the population.

Veils and face coverings are already banned in Quebec for people receiving some government services.

Canada is considering a wider ban on veils in government offices, schools and hospitals.

Mr Kenney dismissed the idea that the ban could infringe³（侵犯） the religious freedom of those taking the oath.

"This is not simply a practical measure," the Conservative minister said on Monday.

"It is a matter of deep principle that goes to the heart of our identity and our values of openness and equality."

He added that Canadian law took priority over religious doctrine⁴（学说，教义） .

"In my view Canadian law takes precedence," he said.

"This is a public act of witness in front of your fellow citizens, in front of the law and you should be willing to show yourself in that public act of witness. I think it's very straightforward⁵（简单的，坦率的） ."

Mr Kenney also announced further language requirements for new immigrants.

Some European countries are also debating the issue. France and Belgium have introduced a ban on wearing the full Islamic veil in public.