Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff says he’s glad Whole Foods has reversed the uniform dress code poppy ban that infuriated Canadians when they learned of it Friday, but Ruff adds, “I’m surprised it took them as long as they did to reverse this.”
Whole Foods promised to amend its dress code Friday afternoon after Canadians, including local MPs spoke out against the US based, Amazon owned grocery store’s ban that included poppies in its uniform code.
CBC first published news of the ban Friday morning, and while no official reason was given for the poppy rule, it caught the attention of politicians including Retired Colonel Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff, who early Friday morning tweeted, “As someone who has served in our military to defend rights, I won’t argue with @WholeFoods decision to ban employees from wearing poppies; I’ll just never step into another Whole Foods store.”
Over the course of the morning, politicians including Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay, and Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole spoke out on social media against the ban. Doug Ford promised to introduce legislation that prohibits employers from banning their staff from wearing a poppy during remembrance week.
During Question Period in the House of Commons, Ruff said, “I was shocked and even more disappointed to read this morning that Whole Foods grocery stores, in an affront to our veterans, have banned their employees from wearing poppies. I trust this misguided policy will be reversed immediately and Whole Foods will allow their employees to wear poppies again. Without our veterans, Canada would not be the country we are so proud to call home.” Ruff noted, “Other nations like the Netherlands understand this.”
Ruff went on to address Minister of Veterans Affairs, Lawrence MacAulay saying “As someone who has served in our military to defend rights, Whole Foods may have the right to establish their own dress code but taking away rights from their employees and banning poppies that Canadians wear in remembrance of those that have made the supreme sacrifice is just plain wrong. What I do know, Mr. Speaker is, it’s within every Canadian’s rights to no longer shop at Whole Foods.”
Minister MacAulay replied, calling the ban “Absolutely unacceptable.” He added, during Veteran’s week it’s a time for every Canadian to come together to show their unwavering support for veterans. Veterans provide our peace and democracy, Mr Speaker. They deserve our respect and this government will make sure they get it.”
The House of Commons unanimously adopted three motions Friday:
– Condemning Whole foods for poppy wearing by employees (NDP MP Rachel Blaney)
– Calling on all Canadian employers to allow poppy wearing by their employees (MP Kevin Lamoureux)
– Inviting Whole Foods CEO to appear at Veterans Affairs Committee (MP Alex Ruff)
Following Question Period, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “I think Whole Foods has made a silly mistake that I am hoping they will correct very quickly.” The Prime Minister noted Veterans Affairs Minister MacAulay was in contact with Whole Foods about the issue. Trudeau also noted, “This is something we see every year almost. Some company, some organization, some retail store makes a mistake around support for the legions or the wearing of the poppies and it is quickly corrected due to public outcry.”
By Friday afternoon, MacAulay tweeted, “Just spoke to the chief operating officer of Whole Foods. Employees will now be able to wear their poppies at work.” he added, “The poppy represents those who’ve served, fought and died for Canada, and it’s deeply personal to everyone here. Glad to hear they’re changing course.”
Looking ahead, Alex Ruff says, “I think there’s a lot of repair that needs to be done by Whole Foods, because they’re going to take a hit.”
Whole Foods has said it donates to legions across Canada, and had reportedly already planned on allowing employees to observe a moment of silence on Nov. 11 before the backlash over the poppy ban.
Meanwhile Ruff says on November 11th, he’ll be in his hometown of Tara, where he is every year for a Remembrance Day ceremony. He’s also taking part in a number of virtual events and meetings with veterans while maintaining proper physical distancing.
and my subsequent question during QP asking the @CanadianPM to follow @fordnation's lead to introduce legislation to prohibit employers from taking away employees' rights. #WeWillRememberThem @RoyalCdnLegion pic.twitter.com/kHiCio7X1H
— Alex Ruff (@AlexRuff17) November 6, 2020
In the House of Commons, MPs unanimously pass three motions:
— Condemning Whole Foods for banning poppy wearing by employees
— Calling on all Canadian employers to allow poppy wearing by their employees
— Inviting Whole Foods CEO to appear at Veterans Affairs committee#cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/gOOkMvvBib— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) November 6, 2020