Province protects the right of workers to wear a poppy

Today the Government of Saskatchewan passed Bill 139 The Saskatchewan Remembrance Observance Act as a way to ensure that employees are able to wear a poppy recognized by the Royal Canadian Legion in the workplace if they choose, unless it poses a danger to health, safety or welfare of the worker or others.

“Our veterans, current and past have fought for our freedom and peace in Canada,” Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don McMorris said. “Providing the right for workers to wear a poppy while in the workplace is a way to honour the sacrifice veterans and their families have made.”

The legislation which comes into force immediately, provides all provincially regulated workers with the right to wear a poppy recognized by the Royal Canadian Legion in the workplace from November 1 to 11 annually. This would align generally with the Royal Canadian Legion’s remembrance period and would include Indigenous Veteran’s Day which is November 8, of each year.

Federally regulated entities such as banks, telecommunications and interprovincial transportation are not covered under this legislation.

Ontario and Manitoba are other provinces that have enacted legislation to provide workers with the right to wear a poppy in the workplace.