Controversies over Islamophobia dog Canada’s conservatives

TORONTO (AP) — Candidate controversies over vaccines and Islamophobia dogged the leader of Canada’s opposition Conservative party on Saturday ahead of the Sept. 20 election.  A Conservative candidate in Nova Scotia apologized for social media posts that weighed in on sharia law and backed banning the burqa worn by some Muslim women. And on Friday the Conservative party confirmed they had dumped a candidate in Toronto after the riding’s Liberal incumbent highlighted Islamophobic tweets from 2017. O’Toole also appeared to give tacit approval for Conservative candidates who are not fully vaccinated to campaign in retirement residences, so long as they abide by public health measures.