Saskatoon·NewA Saskatoon prosecutor says she should be allowed to honour veterans by wearing a poppy in court. Lana Morelli was told that she cannot. Court has directive that does not allow ‘adornments’ on gownsDan Zakreski · CBC News · Posted: Nov 05, 2025 10:30 AM EST | Last Updated: 5 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesProsecutor Lana Morelli says she should be allowed to honour veterans by wearing a poppy in court. (Dan Zakreski/CBC)Lana Morelli says she just wants to honour Canadian war veterans — in the very place they fought to protect.The veteran prosecutor wore a poppy on her gown Monday at Court of King’s Bench at the start of a trial. She learned by email that it is not allowed because of a court “practice directive.””It may open the flood gates to other items being worn on our gowns,” she said of the directive’s reasoning.”The reason that gowns are worn are so that everybody looks the same, so that there is no issues or disparities between individuals. And that, if we start to wear poppies, that people may start wearing other adornments onto their gowns or make those requests.”Morelli does not accept the reasoning. She finds it ironic that honouring veterans in a courtroom is not allowed.”We have freedom of speech because of what these brave men and women have done for our country,” she said.”And not being able to honour them by wearing poppies while I’m arguing for freedom and protection tugs at my heartstrings.”Morelli’s voice cracked when asked whether she has a personal reason for taking the public stand. She added that this is her personal view, not of Public Prosecutions.”I have grandparents that have fought in the war. I have family members that are part of the Legion and I did go to school in the States and I had many friends that were in the military and went overseas to fight for freedom.”She is not wearing the poppy now, but it is in the courtroom.It’s sitting atop her copy of the Canadian Criminal Code on the counsel bench.A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice confirmed that there is a directive on appropriate court wear, and that there is provincial law around wearing poppies.”The Saskatchewan Remembrance Observance Act ensures employees are able to wear a poppy recognized by the Royal Canadian Legion in the workplace if they choose, unless it poses a danger to health, safety or welfare of the worker or others,” Noel Busse said in an email.Busse said the province also recognizes the court’s right to set its own rules.”The ministry respects the independence of the judiciary and their discretion over courtroom attire. The ministry is working with the judiciary to ensure clarity on this matter going forward,” he wrote. Busse did not say whether the court has previously enforced its directive on poppies.ABOUT THE AUTHORDan Zakreski is a reporter in Saskatoon.
Saskatoon prosecutor upset she is not allowed to wear a poppy in court
