Poppy crosswalk in Chestermere, Alta. unveiled at official event
A controversial tribute to Canada's veterans went ahead in Chestermere Sunday, despite some debate over the local initiative.
A series of poppies were painted on a crosswalk at Anniversary Park, home of the city's cenotaph, this week.
But the homage was met with some pushback from the national office of the Royal Canadian Legion, which was concerned with crossing feet and tires over the national image.
Further, the organization holds the trademark for the poppy and requires permission for use in relation to remembrance: something a spokesperson says it didn't receive.
"The Legion deeply appreciates efforts like these, made by community members wanting to help remember Our Fallen," a statement from communications manager Nujma Bond said. "Unfortunately this particular display would have unintentionally resulted in individuals walking on the Poppy image, which is deemed disrespectful."
The teenage designer and his mother said Sunday they were upset to hear there was an issue.
"It was more than a little frustrating," Trisha Davies said. "I just hope that The Legion will embrace this because there's so much support coming from our veterans."
The unveiling ceremony still went ahead, helped along by speeches by the local mayor, a councillor and MLA.
And while The Legion wasn't necessarily pleased with the poppy use, its Alberta Command did provide flags and Remembrance-related items for the event.
Chestermere resident Christa Hiebert told CTV News she was still disappointed in the response.
"This is something that can bring people back and remind you about the freedom we have in our country," she said. "Times are kind of changing. If you can bring awareness in a place that is going to continue to have honour, then I think we're doing the right thing."
The Legion says it was entrusted with the image by the federal government to ensure it "is safeguarded and used respectfully."
Guidelines for poppy usage can be found on the organization's website.
A spokesperson says it has been contacted by some in the neighbourhood who aren't so happy with the crosswalk.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.
The House is on the brink of approving aid for Ukraine and Israel after months of struggle
The House is preparing in a rare Saturday session to approve US$95 billion in foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and other U.S. allies.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.