N.S. premier outraged after court staff told they need permission to wear poppies

Some Nova Scotia court staff say they need a judge’s permission to wear a poppy.

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston was disgusted when he found out that some court staff were told they needed a judge’s permission to wear a poppy.

Houston took his frustration to social media with a fiery post on Facebook, promising to take action and introduce a law to ensure Nova Scotians’ right to wear a poppy in their workplace.

“To hear there’s a workplace in this province that’s telling staff they can’t wear a poppy is shocking,” said Houston from Texas. “We can’t let that stand.”

Houston says he was contacted directly by several staff in the provincial court system who were told they could not wear a poppy in the courtroom without approval from the presiding judge.

In one case, a sheriff was reportedly asked to leave a courtroom by his boss after refusing to remove the iconic symbol of remembrance from his uniform.

Houston rejects the idea that the poppy is a political statement and he’s willing to introduce legislation to protect the right to wear a poppy in the workplace, though not in time for Remembrance Day next week.

“Yeah, we can legislate this,” said Houston. “But what a crazy thing to have to do in Canada.”

A statement from the Nova Scotia Judiciary says there is no official directive banning the poppy, but an internal email obtained by CTV News indicates staff were told they must have a judge’s permission to wear one in court.

The judiciary says judges and staff are asked to not wear symbols of support to maintain their neutrality, which ensures everyone on trial is heard fairly and without any perceived bias, a policy they say is consistent across Canada.

The Royal Canadian Legion told CTV News everyone should be allowed to wear a poppy in the workplace and Paul O’Boyle, a retired Canadian Navy and Air Force veteran, agrees.

“It’s not a political symbol,” said O’Boyle. “It’s a sign of respect and gratitude for those who served and gave their lives and for those who continue to serve today.”

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