Oh (No) Canada?

SPRINGFIELD - The elimination of the singing of O Canada at a rural school in his riding has raised the ire of Veteran Affairs Minister Greg Thompson.

He stands firm in his belief that the students at Belleisle Elementary School should have daily access to the national anthem that means so much to them and this nation. And he is questioning the decision of school principal Erik Millett who made the cut.

"I can see no reason to this," Thompson said. "We're living in the best county in the world. No excuses should have to be made by the people who want to share that sense of pride with their children.

"This tradition should be carried out, as Canadians we are the envy of the world."

While education is a provincial jurisdiction, the federal minister says he will not remain silent on an issue that requires more thoughtfulness.

In September 2007, Millett cancelled the morning singing of O Canada at the school to accommodate two families that take issue with their children taking part in singing it. He says eliminating the daily practice makes for a more fluid, organized morning at the school of 214 children.

Many parents say they were not aware of the change until recently.

Singing the anthem is now reserved for monthly assemblies and special events during which children not allowed to hear it can be more easily excused, Millett said Thursday. As well, the anthem can be given more prominence in the new forum, he said.

Thompson believes there is more to the story. He said when he ran against Millet in the 2004 and 2006 federal elections in New Brunswick Southwest, Millett's actions were questionable. Millett also ran for the Green Party in the last election in Fundy Royal.

Thompson recalled a debate in St. Stephen in 2006 during which Millett, in his protest of the Conservative's position on the war in Iraq, appeared on stage dressed in a protective suit and wearing a gas mask. Later he brought body bags on stage to show his position that war would mean soldiers would be sent home in them.

One constituent left crying since she had a son serving in Afghanistan at the time, and collectively all parties booed Millett from the event, Thompson said.

"This (decision) is consistent with his behaviour," Thompson said of his former opponent's choice to curtail singing of the anthem. "He embarrassed himself and his party then, and he is still proving he has no appreciation for the sensitivity of some issues."

Thompson believes families that share different beliefs than the majority should be accommodated in schools, but he doesn't believe sacrifices should be made by everyone in this instance.

"We love our country, every child should have the opportunity to participate in the national anthem regularly," the MP said. "We, as Canadians, are generous and we can always find ways to accommodate others. It is important for community leaders, including principals, to recognize that.

"This is something every parent should be concerned about."

Thompson said that, since learning about the parents at Belleisle fighting for the return of O Canada to the school's daily routine, he has talked to other principals and has been told accommodations can be made so no child feels discriminated against or left out.

"This is an issue that should never have become an issue," the minister said. "A tradition has been taken away that has always been part of that school. I think Mr. Millett's reputation precedes him on this one."

Millett says his politics has nothing to do with his decision to cut the morning tradition at the school.

"Mr. Thompson's comments have nothing to do with the issue. I don't think they warrant a response," he said.

Millett said he is still not convinced that the change he made to the playing of the anthem is causing the uproar people may believe. Since the story appeared in the Telegraph-Journal on Friday, he has received only two emails and three telephone calls, none of them from parents.

That is surprising to Heike MacGregor, a Belleisle parent who has children who sing O Canada before class starts every morning in the high school across the road. "I'm not letting this go," she said. "I chose this country, and I will stand up for it and the other parents who feel the same way I do."

She moved to Canada from Germany and received her citizenship in 1982. She is adamant that children need to be instilled with love for their country from an early age.

"Where's the patriotism? People here are sitting on a gold mine in this country," she said. "I cannot think of a country or nation that doesn't have a flag or an anthem, so I cannot image who would take issue with singing the anthem of this country."

She calls it "demoralizing" that children in her community need to be sensitive when celebrating their nation because of a minority of people.

Millett is not saying specifically why the parents who have objected have an issue with the song.

Belleisle Elementary is the only elementary school in the district that doesn't sing O Canada daily, except for Macdonald Consolidated School in Kingston, whose students go from kindergarten to Grade 8.

Belleisle High, in contrast, is the only high school in the district where students sing the anthem daily.

In other schools in district 6, Superintendent Zoë Watson said Thursday the anthem is still sung each morning at Sussex and Hampton middle schools. In Rothesay, Harry Miller and Quispamsis Middle Schools schedule the morning anthem for every Friday, and at Rothesay Park School, the Grades 6-8 students only hear the anthem at special assemblies.

In high schools, O Canada is reserved for special occasions at Rothesay High, Kennebecasis Valley, Sussex Regional and Hampton.

Watson said there is no provincial or district policy on the singing of the anthem in schools. The decision is left to the discretion of individual principals, she said.

Source:  Tammy Scott-Wallace    Telegraph-Journal