Sailors march towards the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at Point Pleasant Park in this file photo from 2021. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentNew provincial legislation ensuring military members are welcome to wear their uniforms in provincially owned buildings was not a response to the uproar over a Remembrance Day ceremony in Sackville last year, says the minister responsible for military relations.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentOn Thursday, Barbara Adams introduced the Honouring Canadian Armed Forces Members Act.Article contentArticle content“The purpose of this act is to ensure a welcoming environment in provincially owned and operated places for current and retired members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families. We want their sacrifices and service to Canada to be recognized and respected in provincial spaces.”Article contentArticle contentThese places include parks, hospitals, schools and provincial buildings.Article content‘A welcoming environment’Article contentLast November, in a newsletter distributed to parents, Sackville Heights Elementary School invited service members to attend their Remembrance Day ceremony but asked them to leave their military uniforms at home “to maintain a welcoming environment for all.”Article contentNova Scotia Premier Tim Houston wrote on X at the time that the “leaders at this school are disgracing themselves while demeaning the people who protect our country.”Article contentThe school reversed the decision and emailed parents to apologize for the blunder.Article content“I recognize this request has caused harm, and I am deeply sorry,” said the note from principal Rachael Webster.Article contentAdams, whose son, Sgt. John Lavoie, is a 13-year member of the Canadian Armed Forces, said this legislation wasn’t prompted by any one complaint.Article contentArticle content“It is not in response to any one particular incident or experience. We’re taking this opportunity during Defence Week to recognize our Canadian Forces members and to show that we are proud of the service that they do,” she said.Article content Barbara Adams, minister responsible for military relations, poses for a photo with her son Sgt. John Lavoie at Province House on Thursday. Photo by Ryan Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle content“There have been incidents in the past and there are certainly concerns about people who are wearing uniforms in public places and certainly we’re conscious of those incidents, but this is an opportunity to show our military family members and our forces members our respect for them.”Article contentWhen pressed for an example, Adams said that today she was focused on showing respect and pride for forces members.Article contentQuickly passed, but puzzlingArticle contentIn the legislature on Thursday, the bill whizzed through three readings. Now it just needs to be proclaimed by the lieutenant governor and given an order in council as the final step, which very well might happen before Nov. 11.
Bill on wearing military uniforms expected to be law in Nova Scotia by Remembrance Day
