The author dismisses concerns about face coverings as "patriarchal"? That's rich considering that Islamist countries demand submission from the female gender on the threat of jail or worse. Why is it that the mainstream media ignores female Muslims who are ostracized from their communities for refusing to wear head coverings? Why is it that the mainstream media ignores the peaceful protests of Iranian men who dawn headscarves in protest of regime thugs who enforce "morality codes" on women through beatings? Why does the author ignore the fact that every country in the world where full face coverings are common (without exception) treat women like second class citizens? You can forgive Canadians for being uneasy with accommodating a cultural symbol that is only common in countries where women are forced to submit to male authority under the threat of violence. The cowardly attack in Quebec must be condemned in the strongest terms but the author's political tangent is misguided.