The Ford government will introduce legislation to protect the use of poppies

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The Ford administration will introduce legislation Thursday that will protect employees’ ability to wear a poppy at work in the week leading up to Remembrance Day.

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The move comes after a backlash last year when Whole Foods told employees that poppies were banned from work.

That decision, later overturned, was denounced across the political spectrum.

“Whole Foods who made this decision is not the sharpest knife in the drawer … as sharp as a butter knife,” said Prime Minister Doug Ford.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the move a “silly mistake” at the time.

Now, the Ford government wants to make sure no employer makes the same “dumb mistake” in the future.

“It’s a problem that we see from time to time with the strange employer, we saw it with Whole Foods,” Ontario Citizenship Minister Parm Gill said.

Gill will introduce an amendment to the Remembrance Week Act that was passed in 2016. That law, which establishes Remembrance Week from November 5-11, will be changed to ensure that no one is denied the ability to wear a poppy. at work during that period. time frame.

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“Our appreciation and gratitude for the men and women who have served is why we must ensure that all employees are able to wear a poppy,” said Gill.

He hopes that the opposition will not oppose passing the short piece of legislation quickly and that it can be enacted before November 5.

“We will be in communication with all legions, chambers of commerce to make sure their members are aware of the changes,” said Gill.

Gill rejected any suggestion that Remembrance Day is not an inclusive day in an increasingly diverse Canada.

“I am a visible minority. I am always proud to see many members of visible minority communities attend Remembrance Day ceremonies and wear poppies, ”Gill said.

Gill, who was born in India and is a Sikh, highlighted the recent commemoration of Pte. Bukkan Singh’s grave in Kitchener to dispel the idea that Remembrance Day is exclusive. Singh was one of the few Sikhs to serve in the Canadian Army during World War I.