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Merry Christmas bus message heading to council

SASKATOON – Merry Christmas will remain on Saskatoon city buses for now.

The city’s executive committee will review the policy at a meeting on Monday after a complaint was received objecting to the message being displayed on buses.

City manager Murray Totland said it will be up to council to decide how to proceed.

“No instruction or direction has been given to transit drivers to change that Merry Christmas sign,” said Totland, refuting earlier reports that said he had ordered the signs changed.

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This comes after a Saskatoon man complained to transit, saying the message violates separation of state and religion.

Ashu Solo has threatened to launch a human rights complaint if the messages are not removed and an apology received by Dec. 22.

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“[It] wasn’t our intention with any of our messaging to be offensive or in some way be deemed that way,” said Totland.

Some city councillors took to Twitter to voice support for keeping the message on the buses.

“my position is clear – leave Merry Christmas on the bus,” tweeted Tiffany Paulsen.

“Merry Christmas will be staying on the buses … if you really want to address some concerns in Saskatoon come for a ridealong in an Ambulance,” wrote Troy Davies in a tweet.

“Citizen complains Transit buses displaying “Merry Christmas”. All I would like to say is …….. MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!” tweeted Darren Hill.

Many people have also been commenting on Facebook and Twitter and Totland says comments from the public could be taken into consideration at the meeting.

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