A Halifax elementary school under fire for telling veterans and soldiers to ditch their uniforms for its Remembrance Day services has walked back its ask.
Sackville Heights Elementary School, which is located in the Halifax suburb of Lower Sackville, made the request in a November newsletter to the community.
In it, it said that given the “diverse makeup of our school community” and “being responsive to our students,” any current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces who planned to attend the school’s Remembrance Day services should consider leaving their uniforms at home.
The school said soldiers wearing civilian clothing would “maintain a welcoming environment” for all attending.
After facing backlash, the school walked back its plans Thursday night and apologized.
“Our school is extremely diverse and some students who have come from countries experiencing conflict have expressed discomfort with images of war, which includes those of individuals in military uniforms. Our goal was to ensure that everyone taking part in our ceremony could feel comfortable,” the school said in an email to the community, which is circulating widely on social media.
“I want to assure you that we have the utmost respect for what the uniform represents. … We welcome military family members to come dressed in the attire that makes them most comfortable, including uniforms.”
The ceremony is set for Friday, as the school is closed on Remembrance Day Monday.
School leaders ‘disgracing themselves’: Houston
Among those lashing out at the school are Nova Scotia political leaders, including Tim Houston, who is currently campaigning to be reelected as the province’s premier.
Houston said in a statement on X the school leaders were “disgracing themselves” with their request.
“Our veterans were never ashamed to wear their uniforms while protecting Canada and they should never be made to feel ashamed to wear their uniforms today,” he said Thursday.
“If the people behind this decision had a shred of the courage that our veterans have, this cowardly and insulting idea would have been rejected immediately. In the Nova Scotia and Canada I know, our veterans will never be asked to hide who they are.”
Nova Scotia Liberal leader Zach Churchill also called on the school to reverse its decision Thursday.
“Seeing our service members in their uniforms is an essential part of Remembrance Day, it lets the rest of us know who to personally thank for their service,” Churchill said on X.
“I call on Sackville Heights Elementary School to immediately reverse their shortsighted decision and welcome Veterans and service members in uniform.”
NDP Leader Claudia Chender said that while Remembrance Day is an important occasion to honour veterans and current service members’ sacrifices, she said she hopes Houston wasn’t taking advantage of the decision to “play politics with this solemn occasion for his own political gain.”
“I hope Tim Houston reached out to the principal of the school before making a public statement,” she said in a statement.
Federally, Canada’s Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor said in an e-mailed statement that she had been informed of the situation.
“Remembrance Day … is a time to honour those who have served proudly in uniform. Veterans and members of the Canadian Armed Forces wear their uniforms to remember those who sacrificed for our country, showing respect and recognition for their contributions,” Petitpas Taylor said.
“I’m glad the school quickly reconsidered its position.”
– with a file from The Canadian Press