NS Brings In Legislation to Ensure Military Members Can Wear Uniforms in Public Spaces

Poppies are placed on a cross at the end of Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Grand Parade in Halifax on Nov. 11, 2020. The Canadian Press/Andrew Vaughan

Nova Scotia has passed legislation that ensures military members can wear their uniforms in public spaces, including schools, following controversy in 2024 where an elementary school asked members and veterans not to wear uniforms to a school Remembrance Day service.

The Honouring Canadian Armed Forces Members Act, introduced on Oct. 2 and passed later that day, says that current and retired military members are permitted to wear their uniforms in all places that are owned by the provincial government, such as parks, hospitals, and schools, according to an Oct. 2 government press release.

Minister Responsible for Military Relations Barbara Adams said the legislation honours those who serve.

“Nova Scotians are proud of our military heritage, with many thousands of Nova Scotians who have served or are serving now, and just about everyone knows someone who has served,” Adams said. She added that “those who are brave enough to put on a uniform wear it with pride” and deserve respect.

“This legislation recognizes all who serve and reminds people what the uniform truly means.”

The province says that the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) in Halifax is the largest military base by population in Canada, noting that Nova Scotia has the highest concentration of military assets in Canada at 40 percent.

In 2024, Sackville Heights Elementary School, which is located near Canada’s largest military base CFB Halifax, asked military members not to wear uniforms to Remembrance Day services in a message included in the school’s November newsletter.

The newsletter message says the school wanted to “recognize and celebrate the diverse makeup” of the community. It said service members were “warmly” invited to attend the school service, but asked them to wear civilian clothing “to maintain a welcoming environment for all.”

The decision was criticized by several political leaders, including Premier Tim Houston, who said the school leadership was “disgracing themselves” and “demeaning the people who protect our country.”

Nova Scotia Liberal Leader Zach Churchill called on the school to “immediately reverse their shortsighted decision” and to welcome veterans and service members in uniform.

The school reversed its decision following the criticism.

The Halifax Regional Centre for Education, the public school district in the city, said the original decision had been made to accommodate students who were from countries in conflict. It said that many of those students had expressed “discomfort” with images of war, including military uniforms.

Spokesperson Lindsey Bunin said the district and school have the “highest respect” for what the uniform represents.

She added the school had “reconsidered” its approach, saying past and present service members are welcome to wear their uniforms.

Jennifer Cowan contributed to this report.