The Saskatchewan government has passed new legislation to strengthen workers’ rights when it comes to wearing a poppy in remembrance of veterans during the month of November.
Bill 139, or The Saskatchewan Remembrance Observance Act, states that employees have the right to wear a poppy in the workplace, as long as it does not pose a health or safety risk.
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The protection applies to provincially regulated employees who wear poppies recognised by the Royal Canadian Legion from 1 to 11 November each year.
Federally regulated workplaces, such as banks, telecommunications companies and airports or other interprovincial transportation hubs, are not covered by the legislation.
“The legislation demonstrates our commitment to veterans past and present and is a tribute to their memory and service,” said Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don McMorris in introducing the bill on Wednesday.
Ontario and Manitoba have similar legislation, according to a government news release.
Including a timeframe in the content of the bill ensures that it aligns with Canada’s period of remembrance and includes Indigenous Veterans Day on Nov. 8, it added.
The bill was introduced and passed on Wednesday with the support of the Saskatchewan NDP.
It also received royal assent, making it law.
Following the bill’s passage, McMorris said the government was aware of “a couple of instances” in Saskatchewan where a worker was asked to remove the poppies because the symbol was “not seen as neutral”.
“That’s not the way we want to go,” he said.
One of the incidents took place at a courthouse in Estevan, where an employee was asked to remove his poppy because it was “deemed not to be neutral”.
“Of course the courts are neutral,” he said.
He added that the rules about wearing a poppy in that courthouse have since changed.
“We don’t think it’s a political statement at all. I think it’s a statement of respect for those who have gone before us”.
Another example was a shop “down in the south-east” where an employee was asked to remove his poppy.
But he said a large employer in Ontario had once told all employees they couldn’t wear a poppy.
“We wanted to set the record straight in Saskatchewan,” he said, noting that Ontario has passed similar legislation.
The bill defines a poppy as one recognised by the Royal Canadian Legion.
Asked about unique poppies sometimes worn around Remembrance Day and whether they would be covered by the legislation, the minister said the Legion is best placed to determine what’s acceptable, adding that the government will defer to that organisation.
Regarding the health and safety exemption, the Minister said it would be up to the employer and the Occupational Health and Safety Committee to determine whether an exemption was needed.