Veterans Affairs minister ‘respects’ independence of court in poppy ban decision
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
OTTAWA – Veterans Affairs Minister Jill McKnight says she respects the independence of Nova Scotia’s judiciary in determining judges have the right to ban the poppy from their courtrooms.
Earlier this week, the heads of Nova Scotia’s supreme and provincial courts expressed their support for judges who ban court staff from pinning poppies to their robes during proceedings.
The judges gave an example of a non-veteran charged with assault of a veteran walking into a courtroom where staff are wearing poppies, suggesting it could make the accused doubt the neutrality of the process.
“The poppy is a powerful symbol of remembrance for all who have served and sacrificed on behalf of Canada, and something that I wear with pride,” McKnight wrote in a statement.
“As the directive originates from the judiciary, we respect their independence and cannot comment further.”
The decision from Nova Scotia’s benches has sparked criticism from federal politicians.
Conservative MP Frank Caputo, the party’s justice critic, worked as a Crown prosecutor in Kamloops, B.C., before entering politics.
“I wore my poppy — always — including in Supreme Court when gowned. I saw a judge or two wear one,” Caputo posted on social media.
“We have freedom to be governed by the rule of law rather than a tyrannical state because people shed blood for our country. We should never forget this. Including in the courtroom.”
Fellow Conservative MP Aaron Gunn posted on social media that the poppy is not a political symbol, and called the decision “another ridiculous and dumb ruling by a Canadian judge.”
“The poppy is a symbol of remembrance and respect for those who served, sacrificed and continue to represent Canada in uniform today,” Gunn wrote.
“It transcends politics, partisanship and ideology – and it has done so for over 100 years.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 10, 2025.
— With files from Emily Baron Cadloff in Halifax