Nova ScotiaLast week, Tim Houston issued a stern social media post in which he said it was “disgusting” that an order had been issued prohibiting people who work in certain court facilities from wearing poppies while on duty at work, although a court spokesperson said no such order exists. Rule allowing military uniforms in government-owned buildings includes an exemption for courtroomsMichael Gorman · CBC News · Posted: Nov 10, 2025 5:06 PM EST | Last Updated: 7 hours agoListen to this articleEstimated 5 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Premier Tim Houston was critical last week of judges’ ability to determine whether staff can wear poppies in courtrooms. (CBC)Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston’s office says there is a difference between a military uniform and a poppy.Last week, Houston issued a stern social media post in which he said it was “disgusting” that an order had been issued prohibiting people who work in certain court facilities from wearing poppies while on duty, although a court spokesperson later said no such order exists.Frank Magazine first reported on the matter.Houston said in his statement that the judges who issued the order “are wrong” and that, if necessary, he would introduce legislation to enshrine the right to wear a poppy in the workplace from Nov. 1 to Nov. 11.But in legislation Houston’s government proclaimed Monday that allows service members and veterans to wear their uniforms in all government-owned or -operated spaces, there is an exemption for correctional facilities and courtrooms.’A universal symbol of unity’The premier’s press secretary said there is a difference.“Uniforms are a symbol of distinction, poppies are a universal symbol of unity,” Catherine Klimek said in a statement.“The spaces recommended to be exempted from the act were identified due to the importance of judicial independence and operational requirements within these spaces.”The Progressive Conservatives introduced and passed the Honouring Canadian Armed Forces Members Act in a single day during the fall sitting of the legislature.The bill came about a year after a school principal faced criticism for asking veterans not to wear their uniforms to a Remembrance Day assembly out of concern for newcomer students from countries experiencing military conflict. The principal later apologized.In line with CAF rulesKlimek said another reason for the distinction between exemptions in the act and the premier’s feeling on the poppy is the need to be in line with rules of the Canadian Armed Forces.“Members of the CAF are not permitted to wear the uniform during a civil court proceeding unless they have received approval of their commanding officer,” according to those rules.The rules also note that civilian courts “retain jurisdiction in applying their own rules regarding decorum and CAF members shall abide accordingly.”All other CAF members attending a civilian court proceeding, including attending officers and those acting in a personal capacity, will wear appropriate civilian clothing.”Top judges issue statementLast Friday, a spokesperson for the judiciary issued a statement in response to Houston’s post saying that there was no order or directive. Instead, they said staff wishing to wear poppies in the courtroom were advised to speak with the presiding judge.The statement noted such a matter is within the discretion of the presiding judge, but members of the public can wear poppies in the courtroom and at courthouses.On Sunday, Chief Justice Deborah K. Smith of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court and Perry F. Borden, chief judge for the Nova Scotia Provincial Court, issued a rare joint statement on the matter.“Judges have an obligation to conduct all court proceedings in an impartial and unbiassed manner,” they said. “There can be no signs of favouritism towards any of the litigants.”Poppies shouldn’t be seen as setting people apartThe statement notes that the Canadian Judicial Council says judges should avoid statements or visible symbols of support, particularly in the context of court proceedings, in order to avoid any interpretation of impartiality.“It is fundamentally important that when an individual walks into a courtroom that they see and feel that they are in a totally unbiassed and neutral space,” the statement says.It goes on to offer the example of a non-veteran being charged with assaulting their partner, who is a military veteran, with the trial scheduled to begin in the days leading up to Remembrance Day.“The accused walks into the courtroom and sees the judge, the court clerk, and the sheriff all wearing a poppy. That individual will likely have some discomfort or doubt about the neutrality of the proceeding.“The decision of a judge not to allow symbols of support such as the poppy to be worn by court staff is not intended, in any way, to undermine or diminish the tremendous respect that we have for those who have served, and those who have died. It is to ensure that all Canadians know that they are entering an unbiased and neutral space when they enter a courtroom.”The judges’ position appears not to have swayed the premier, based on the statement from his press secretary.“Poppies should not be seen as something that sets you apart from your fellow citizens.”MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORMichael Gorman covers the Nova Scotia legislature for CBC, with additional focuses on health care and rural communities. Contact him with story ideas at michael.gorman@cbc.ca
N.S. premier sees a distinction between military uniforms and poppies
