A Halifax-area school is backtracking on its request not to attend a Remembrance Day ceremony in uniform after an outburst of anger, including from the premier of Nova Scotia, who said the initial request was “shameful and degrading”.
The comments from Premier Tim Houston, who is campaigning for the Nov. 26 provincial election, are part of a chorus of criticism aimed at Sackville Heights Elementary School. A November newsletter from the school in Middle Sackville, Nova Scotia, invited members of the armed forces to attend the ceremony, but asked them to arrive in civilian attire to “maintain a welcoming environment for all” .
In response, Mr. Houston, leader of the Progressive Conservatives, accused the school administration of “disgracing itself while demeaning the people who protect our country” in a message published on the X platform Thursday evening. “If the people behind this decision had had an ounce of courage, like our veterans, this cowardly and insulting idea would have been immediately rejected,” Mr. Houston wrote.
The prime minister’s post was uploaded to Reddit, garnering more than 670 comments, most of which were critical of the school.
In an email to families Thursday evening, principal Rachael Webster apologized and invited military family members to attend classes “in whatever attire makes them most comfortable.” Webster added: “I recognize that this request has caused harm and I am deeply sorry.”
The school had asked military personnel not to attend classes in uniform, out of fear for some students who come from countries in conflict and who it said had expressed discomfort with images of war, including military uniforms. Students who do not want to see members of the Armed Forces in uniform can be accommodated in a way that makes them feel safe, she said in the email without providing details.
Ms. Webster did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and a response from a school spokesperson did not provide any new information.
The president of the Nova Scotia branch of the Royal Canadian Legion said he doesn’t blame people who are outraged.
In an interview Friday, Tom Young pointed out that Nova Scotia is the province that sends the highest number of people per capita into the armed forces – and this has been true for generations.
“When this happens in our backyard, it becomes really personal for all the members who have served…they are outraged and I don’t blame them,” he said.
At a news conference Friday, Tim Houston said he was glad the school walked back its initial request, but said he was still concerned.
“I can’t understand how such a decision could have been made,” Mr. Houston told reporters, adding that he grew up moving from one military base to another across the country while his father was in the armed forces. “The tradition of service is something many of us share,” he added.
Liberal Leader Zach Churchill also said he was happy with the school’s turnaround, but didn’t think it was right to question the intentions of those behind the original decision .
“We need to display them (the uniforms) on Remembrance Day,” he said. “Not only do we celebrate (veterans)…we also commemorate our fallen who have made the greatest sacrifice for our country and for the freedoms that we have.”
NDP Leader Claudia Chender said that while Remembrance Day is an important occasion to honor the sacrifices of veterans and current military personnel, she hopes Mr. Houston does not take advantage of the decision to “play politics with this solemn occasion for its own political gain.
“I hope Tim Houston contacted the school principal before making a public statement,” she said.
