Nova Scotia moves to protect veterans’ right to wear uniforms in public spaces

A new Nova Scotia bill aims to protect the right of veterans to wear uniforms in public places.

Nova Scotia has introduced new legislation today ensuring schools and other provincially owned properties remain welcoming spaces to members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in uniform.

The Honouring Canadian Armed Forces Act gives current and retired CAF members the right to wear their uniforms in all public provincial facilities, including schools, hospitals, parks, and other government buildings.

Although there was no law against wearing of military uniforms in provincial buildings, the bill does follow backlash last year, when an elementary school in Middle Sackville asked veterans and military members attending its Remembrance Day service to wear civilian clothes instead of their military uniforms.

Public reaction to the school’s request was swift, including from Premier Tim Houston, who called the request “demeaning” and accused school leaders of “disgracing themselves while demeaning the people who protect our country.” The school later reversed its decision.

The province didn’t say if the legislation was sparked by the situation at the elementary school but ensures the bill won’t allow for situations like that to happen again.

The bill was fast-tracked through all three stages of readings in legislature, after it was introduced Thursday by Adams. She expects the bill will be proclaimed into law soon, adding she hopes it will happen before Remembrance Day.

“We want to enshrine in legislation that shows they are welcomed,” said Adams. “We want to set an example to say that we respect the uniform and we respect the members that wear it.”

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