Sask. passes new law on wearing poppies in the workplace

The protection is to apply to provincially regulated employees.

Published Nov 01, 2023  •  Last updated 5 hours ago  •  2 minute read

The Saskatchewan government has introduced legislation aimed at protecting a worker's right to wear a poppy in their workplace. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

The Saskatchewan government has passed new legislation to firm up workers’ rights around wearing a poppy in remembrance of veterans, during November.

Bill 139, or the The Saskatchewan Remembrance Observance Act, asserts that employees have the right to wear a poppy in their workplace, provided it does not pose a danger to health or safety.

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The protection applies to provincially regulated employees, to wear poppies recognized by the Royal Canadian Legion from Nov. 1-11 annually.

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Federally regulated workplaces, like banks, telecommunication entities and airports or other interprovincial transportation hubs are outside the purvey of the legislation.

“The Act demonstrates our commitment to the past and current veterans and signifies a tribute to their memory and their service,” said Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Don McMorris, in his introduction of the bill Wednesday.

Ontario and Manitoba have similar legislation, a government news release notes.

It goes on that including a timeframe in the bill’s contents ensures it aligns with the remembrance period observed by Canada, as well as include Indigenous Veteran’s Day on Nov. 8.

The bill was tabled and passed Wednesday with the support of the Saskatchewan NDP.

It also received royal assent making it law.

After the bill’s passing, McMorris said the government is aware of a “couple of instances” in Saskatchewan where a worker was asked to remove the poppies as the symbol was not “seen to be neutral.”

“That isn’t kind of the way we want to go,” he said.

One of these occurred in an Estevan courthouse, and an employee was asked to remove their poppy, as it was “judged that that was not showing neutrality.”

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“The courts are neutral, of course,” he said.

He added that the rules around wearing a poppy have since changed in that courthouse

“We don’t feel it’s a political statement at all. I think it’s a statement of respect for those who came before us.”

Another instance was in a store “down in the southeast,” where an employee was asked to remove his poppy.

However, he said a major employer in Ontario had once told all employees they couldn’t wear a poppy.

“We wanted to kind of set it straight in Saskatchewan,” he said, noting Ontario has passed similar legislation.

Within the bill, a poppy is defined as a poppy that is recognized by the Royal Canadian Legion.

When asked about unique poppies sometimes worn around Remembrance Day, and whether they would fall under the law, the minister said the Legion is best suited to determine what’s acceptable, and added that the government would defer to that organization.

Regarding the exemption for health or safety, the minister said it would be left up to the employer and occupational health and safety committee to determine whether an exemption was required.

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