The world reacted—and almost universally recoiled—throughout the weekend over U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban prohibiting passport holders from seven Muslim-majority countries, including those with visas and green cards who had been living in the U.S., from entering the country. Protesters descended on airports, the White House and the streets, as ordinary citizens and political leaders alike denounced the drastic and chaotically implemented measures, which shut out citizens and dual nationals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen—though notably, not those from other Muslim nations, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, where Trump has business interests.
Canadian political leaders, of course, weighed in as well. What was interesting was the temperature range of the responses, and not always from the expected points on the political spectrum. Most—including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has so far assiduously avoided criticizing the president with whom he will have to deal at close range—chose indirect indictment by pointedly reiterating the commitment of their communities to welcoming immigrants and refugees.
Here, arrayed from the most blistering to the distinctly disinterested, are the responses of prominent Canadian politicians.
Blistering denunciation
Former minister of citizenship, immigration and multiculturalism Jason Kenney:
1/ Just spoke to a former staffer of mine who was raised in Iran. Immigrated to Canada at 14, he ran as a Conservative for Parliament at 19.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2017
2/ He is so Canadian he has a maple leaf tattoo. He despises the Iranian dictatorship & would be thrown in jail if he returned there. He has
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2017
3/ renounced Iranian citizenship, & is one of the most hawkish people I know on national security & integration. He is running a successful
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2017
4/ startup in the USA. As a result of yesterday's Executive Order, he is now barred from entering USA, where he has created dozens of jobs.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2017
5/ Yazidi refugees from Daesh's genocide, US military officers of Iranian origin & countless others join him in being inadmissible to the US
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2017
6/ Meanwhile, Wahabi militants from Saudi Arabia are unaffected by this EO. This is not about national security. It is a brutal, ham-fisted
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2017
7/ act of demagogic political theatre. Now we are hopelessly polarized between the false choice of open-border naïveté and xenophobia.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2017
8/ The Government of Canada should immediately facilitate temporary residency for bona fide travellers stranded by the EO, e.g. by issuing
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2017
9/ministerial instructions to visa officers for issuance of Temporary Residence Permits under Sec 25 of Immigration & Refugee Protection Act
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2017
10/ Republicans in Congress who (rightly) challenged President Obama for making law through EOs should now challenge President Trump's EO.
— Jason Kenney (@jkenney) January 29, 2017
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair
NDP is calling for an emergency debate on Trump's #MuslimBan. Canada must speak out and do its part to address these reprehensible policies.
— Tom Mulcair (@ThomasMulcair) January 29, 2017
Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose
Immigrants and refugees from all over the world have greatly added to Canada's success and prosperity… 1/4
— Rona Ambrose (@RonaAmbrose) January 29, 2017
… it is a proud part of our history and built this great country. 2/4
— Rona Ambrose (@RonaAmbrose) January 29, 2017
Relieved to hear all Canadian passport holders are being exempted from US travel restrictions. 3/4
— Rona Ambrose (@RonaAmbrose) January 29, 2017
Countries like Canada and the US need to shelter ISIS persecuted groups from genocide. Yazidis, Assyrians, Christians and Muslims alike. 4/4
— Rona Ambrose (@RonaAmbrose) January 29, 2017
Tepidly displeased
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley
Alberta has always been welcoming to those seeking refuge, and that will not change. #WelcomeToCanada #ableg
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) January 29, 2017
Refugees enrich our society, making positive contributions to our communities, economy & vibrant cultural fabric. #WelcomeToCanada #ableg
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) January 29, 2017
Alberta will welcome you with open arms. All people, no matter where they are from, deserve to live in peace. #ableg #WelcomeToCanada
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) January 29, 2017
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmed Hussen
Statement in a press conference on Jan. 29: “I can tell you what our principles are. Our principles are of openness, open to ideas, open to people, open to those who want to come here and make a better life for themselves, contribute to our economy [with] their high skills, and to also to continue to have compassion for those who seek sanctuary in our country, and I think we’ve been a better country as a result.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 28, 2017
#WelcomeToCanada pic.twitter.com/47edRsHLJ5
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 28, 2017
Regina Mayor Michael Fougere
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall
Sask has welcomed approx 2000 refugees this past year. We stand ready to assist fed gov't re: anyone stranded by the US ban.
— Brad Wall (@PremierBradWall) January 29, 2017
Toronto Mayor John Tory
Toronto continues to open its arms to Syrian refugees. Proud to be among those who sponsored a family.
— John Tory (@JohnTory) January 28, 2017
Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson
Ottawa will continue to be a beacon to welcome refugees from around the world who are escaping war and torture and violence. I am proud of..
— Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) January 29, 2017
our city's response to the crisis in Syria & our doors & hearts remain open to help those men, Women and children looking for a better life
— Jim Watson (@JimWatsonOttawa) January 29, 2017
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne
The warmth and openness of Ontarians makes us strong. So many of us come from other places and we welcome the world. pic.twitter.com/EFX4h17nyt
— Kathleen Wynne (@Kathleen_Wynne) January 28, 2017
Utterly laissez-faire
Conservative leadership candidate Maxime Bernier
1/ Is this just nice sentiment on PMJT’s part or is his tweet advertising a change of policy? Will Canada welcome even more refugees? https://t.co/FQyEmGLeOU
— Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) January 29, 2017
2/ There are over 21M refugees in the world. It's totally unrealistic to think we can solve this problem by welcoming more.
— Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) January 29, 2017
3/ Trump decision is US internal matter. Should not impact our own debates about who and how many refugees and immigrants we welcome.
— Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) January 29, 2017
4/ I have made clear in my immigration policy unveiled three weeks ago that it must aim to fulfill CAN’s economic needs first and foremost.
— Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) January 29, 2017
5/ Opposed to Lib increase in number of immigrants. More eco immigrants, fewer refugees and family reunification. https://t.co/CEVSoim72k
— Maxime Bernier (@MaximeBernier) January 29, 2017
Conservative leadership candidate Kellie Leitch
I've always been clear on my approach — it doesn't matter where you are born. What matters is whether you share our Canadian values. 1/2
— Kellie Leitch (@KellieLeitch) January 29, 2017
The USA is a democracy. They had an election & made their choices. I wouldn't want them interfering, and I won't do the same to them. 2/2
— Kellie Leitch (@KellieLeitch) January 29, 2017