N.S. school board says decision to remove flags was ‘temporary’ amid backlash

Community outrage has struck after a school decided to remove all "non-Canadian" flags from poles on school grounds.

The South Shore Regional Centre for Education says its call for flags that are not of Canada or Nova Scotia to be removed from school grounds is “temporary while final guidance is developed.”

In a statement to CTV News on Tuesday, Ashley Gallant, the communications co-ordinator for the South Shore Regional Centre for Education, confirmed the decision to remove the flags.

“SSRCE schools strive to be welcoming and inclusive learning environments for all students and staff. The temporary guidance makes provisions for all flags to remain displayed on school property, with some flags potentially being moved into schools. Where there have been concerns from staff or families, administrators are clarifying the guidance and will be keeping school communities updated on any changes,” said Gallant.

The school board issued the directive on Friday but has since received backlash.

Peter Day, the president of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union, says teachers are “upset” following the decision, as flags from other diverse communities will only be displayed inside schools.

“(If) you start taking those symbols away then that’s going to have a profound effect on our students, and the fact that they may not see themselves as part of that school community or they may not feel as welcome,” says Day.

A spokesperson for the education centre says the decision was made because outdoor flags often get ripped or damaged, and replacing them is costly and time-consuming.

“It’s pretty evident that you could simply replace a flag if there is a flag in disrepair, if a flag is tattered, replace it,” says Day.

The NSTU, the union representing teachers, says it feels the same and is calling on the provincial government to step in.

“We wrote to the minister of education asking the minister of education to review this decision on the South Shore,” says Hugh Gillis, NSTU’s first vice-president.

Gillis say he has yet to hear back from the province, but he hopes the centre for education will reverse its policy, as he urges them to consider its historical significance.

“Diversity is important. The Mi’kmaq are the original settlers to this land, and we’ve seen some of the harms when people try to erase history,” says Gillis.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page