Quebec union 'disgusted' by focus on niqab

The union official representing thousands of aerospace workers in Quebec is adding his voice to those who want the federal election to be about something other than the niqab. 

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David Chartrand. the provincial coordinator for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, told CBC Montreal's Daybreak the campaign should focus on things that really matter — such as job creation.

"We're very disappointed, disgusted and floored by the turn the election has taken," he said Thursday.

"We're spending the majority of the time talking about an issue that applies to a strict minority — two people in this particular case — when important issues are being completely ignored."

Chartrand said there's been almost no discussion about how to support the aerospace industry.

"It is the highest value industry here in Canada. It's extremely important in the province of Quebec, and we're not debating on that," he said.

"We're not debating on safeguarding jobs here and [creating] jobs here."