Dog Wistle
I’ve had to explain “Dog Wistle Politics” to more than a few Canadian friends now. (That’s a good thing; it means it’s not common here.)
In politics, a “Dog Whistle” is the use of language that isn’t particularly offensive or notable on it’s surface… but is really a signal to a particular group of people/voters that the candidate is aligned with their beliefs. Those beliefs are usually unpalatable to the general public, and thus need to be kept on the down-low to avoid backlash. Hence, the message that only certain people can “hear”.
So, in this context, Naheed Nenshi is claiming that niqabs are a Conservative dog whistle. Harper’s statement was that niqabs are a symbol of oppression of women. There’s enough truth/debate to that position that Harper can get away with it.
But Nenshi suggests (and personally, I agree with him) that the real purpose of the niqab discussion right now isn’t to help oppressed woman… it’s to rally the segment of the voting population that is anti-Muslim (and/or anti-immigrant in general) and win some votes for the Conservatives. He can’t say outright racist things (he’s no Trump), but he can drop hints.
It’s a nifty tactic, very popular in the US, and it’s spreading here. Keep an eye open for it.