Royal Canadian Legion seeks alternatives after Chestermere poppy crosswalk deemed ‘disrespectful’ – Calgary | The Canadian News

A crosswalk in Chestermere is sparking some controversy over the use of poppies.

The crosswalk leading to the Chestermere Cenotaph at Anniversary Park was renovated this week. Chestermere City crews painted poppies on the road.

For the past year, the City of Chestermere has been working with a local teenager who wanted to raise awareness among veterans by adding a poppy-themed temporary crosswalk.

“For a 14-year-old to think like that, it’s fantastic. It’s a great way to draw attention to the memory, ”said Charles Redeker, operations manager for the Calgary Veterans Association Food Bank.

“If someone walks through that crosswalk or drives to that crosswalk, if for a moment it reminds them of a loved one who served, a friend who served, or just thinking about those sacrifices that were made, I think that’s fantastic. , and I don’t think there is any disrespect in it. “

The crosswalk was completed this week and the family has organized an event to officially open the crosswalk on Sunday. Redeker said organizers approached him to tell him that Sunday’s event would also be a food drive for the group.

A statement from the City of Chestermere said: “The city is proud to support this local community initiative that was created to offer our community the opportunity to collectively show its respect and support for our veterans.”

On Friday, a city spokesman said the city received a concern from the Royal Canadian Legion’s national office about the use of the poppy image.

In a statement to Global News, a spokesperson for the Royal Canadian Legion national headquarters said: “The legion deeply appreciates efforts like these, made by community members who want to help remember our fallen. Unfortunately, this particular display would have inadvertently caused people to walk on the poppy image, which is considered disrespectful. The poppy of remembrance is a sacred symbol in Canada, representing real people who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. “

According to the communications manager of the Royal Canadian Legion national headquarters, Parliament has tasked the legion with ensuring that the image of the poppy is safeguarded and used with respect.

Nujma Bond, communications manager for the Royal Canadian Legion’s national headquarters, said the legion often considers special projects that incorporate the image of the poppy and permission to use it is given regularly.

“My colleague who oversees the use of the poppy image indicated that he has received several complaints about this crosswalk, including from veterans who say it is like stepping on the Canadian flag,” Bond said.

“Walking on the image of the poppy would actually be considered similar to people walking on a tombstone or on the Canadian flag.”

Bond said the city of Chestermere did not come forward to ask about the use of the poppy image, as is often the case when municipalities start a project.

“We understand that many people may not realize that there are rules about how poppy can be used, and we hope that they will be more informed as a result of this unfortunate situation. We are currently looking at what additional internal and external education could be useful in the future, ”said Bond.

An event planned by the family behind the idea of ​​the crosswalk to officially unveil the Memorial Walk is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m.

Chestermere city spokeswoman Megan Matthies said that on Friday, the city was in contact with the Alberta / NWT branch of the Royal Canadian Legion “and they are supporting the event.”

The Legion Alberta Command is currently working with Chestermere on alternatives, including the provision of flags for the weekend event that is planned, according to Bond.

Bond could not comment on whether there will be a request to remove the painted poppies, but said: “The Legion National Headquarters will work with the City of Chestermere to reach a longer term resolution for this situation in the coming years. days.”