Judiciary says no order issued on wearing poppies as premier sparks outrage

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins and Chris Halef

The Nova Scotia Judiciary is refuting that any new orders or directives have been issued when it comes to wearing poppies in the courts, despite a recent post from the premier.

“It has come to my attention that earlier this week, there was an order issued prohibiting individuals working in certain court facilities from wearing poppies while on duty in those locations,” reads a statement from Premier Tim Houston posted on Thursday night. “This order was issued under the guise that the poppy is somehow a ‘political statement.’”

Houston called the move “disgusting.”

But in a statement to CityNews Halifax, the Nova Scotia Judiciary says there was no new directive on the issue, and any deviation from standard court apparel, which is black robes, is at the discretion of the judge.

“Staff who wish to wear poppies in the courtroom were advised to speak with the presiding judge, and conversations, as needed, have occurred around that specific topic. It is within the discretion of the presiding judge,” Andrew Preeper, the Judiciary’s director of communications, said.

He pointed out that members of the public are welcome to wear poppies in the courthouse and courtrooms.

“To ensure the fair administration of justice, the Courts must be neutral and appear to be neutral at all times, particularly inside the courtroom,” reads the statement. “Everyone appearing in court must feel that their case will be heard fairly and without bias. As a result, all judges and staff are expected not to wear any symbols of support in the courtroom.”

According to the Canada Judicial Council’s Ethical Principals for Judges, “the wearing or display of symbols of support, even if they seem innocuous […] may be interpreted as reflecting a lack of impartiality or the use of the position of the judge to make a political or other statement. For those reasons, judges should avoid statements or visible symbols of support, particularly in the context of court proceedings.”

In his statement, the premier said he “stands firmly behind anyone who wants to wear a poppy in the workplace.”

“Because of the actions of these judges, if necessary, I will introduce The Nova Scotia Remembrance Observance Act that will enshrine the right to wear a poppy in the workplace from November 1 to November 11,” Houston wrote.