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Before writing and passing her citizenship test two years ago, Ishaq removed her niqab for an official, but legally fought having to do so at a public oath-taking ceremony.

The proposed stay would be in place as the government seeks leave to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court of Canada. It has until mid-November to file that application, meaning that if the stay is granted, Ishaq may not have the opportunity to become a citizen before the October election.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau, speaking in Montreal Friday afternoon, said Ishaq, “did have to identify herself so it’s not a matter of identification, it’s only symbolic and, as far as I’m concerned, the symbol that is most important is the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”

In a statement, Lebel said the government wants to prevent citizenship candidates from taking the oath with their faces covered until the Supreme Court can hear its appeal.

He said the government’s position is consistent with Canadian values, a message Harper echoed during a campaign event in Calgary on Friday.

“The reason why now is because we had a court ruling that we’re responding to expeditiously,” Harper said when asked why the government was taking this step.

“Look, when someone joins the Canadian family, there are times in our open, tolerant, pluralistic society that as part of our interactions with each other we reveal our identity through revealing our face. When you join the Canadian family in a public citizenship ceremony, it is essential that that is a time when you reveal yourselves to Canadians and that is something widely supported by Canadians.”