WATCH: Trade minister Chrystia Freeland, comedian Bill Maher debate refugees, diversity

International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland fiercely defended her staunch position supporting diversity during a late-night debate on Real Time with Bill Maher Friday night.

Comedian and commentator Bill Maher started the segment off with the statistic that 56 per cent of Americans believe the Syrian refugees have values that are at odds with their values.

READ MORE: 60% of Canadians disagree with Liberal plan to accept Syrian refugees: Ipsos poll

He went on to quote U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron who said “too often we have lacked the confidence to enforce our values for fears of causing offence.”

“This idea, that somehow we do share values, that all religions are alike is bullshit,” Maher said.

But Freeland was quick to step in and disagree.

“I think it is incredibly important, particularly now, after the Paris attacks, particularly now with ISIL raging around the world, to stand up for real diversity. And to say our diversity is our strength,” she said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I think it is incredibly important, particularly now, after the Paris attacks, particularly now with ISIL raging around the world, to stand up for real diversity. And to say our diversity is our strength," she said.

Maher pushed back asking if she thought keeping women as second-class citizens – he referenced honour killings and genital mutilation – could be classified as diversity.

“What I’m saying is that we in Canada are not going to say Muslims are worse than Christians, are worse than Jews, are worse than atheists,” Freeland replied.

READ MORE: Liberals say details on refugee resettlement plan coming Tuesday

The discussion continued while Freeland fought back against the other guests on the show, which included Ben Domenech of the Manhattan Institute, and Maine Senator Angus King, who supported some of her views.

The debate quickly turned to whether or not Muslim values are worse than other values.

“Killing women for being raped, I would say is a bad idea,” he responded to raucous applause from the audience.

Freeland was sworn in as Minister of International Trade earlier this month. Since they were elected a month ago, the Liberals have promised to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees into Canada by the end of the year, a promise the goverment said it will keep despite speculation that one of the Paris attackers may have come to Europe with a group of refugees.

“I am saying now, at a time where some people are talking about things like only admitting Christian Syrian refugees it is really important to stand up for Muslims,” Freeland said.