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
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Amish youth experience a rite of passage called Rumspringa. It’s not what you might think
The idea of “Rumspringa” has a specific spot in the American imagination. A rite of passage for young people in some Amish communities, Rumspringa is seen by most outsiders as a wild time away from strict Amish rules, when teenagers can experiment with the modern vices of the world.
Djokovic needs medical attention after getting knocked on the head by a water bottle at Italian Open
Novak Djokovic needed medical attention after apparently getting knocked on the head by a water bottle after a win at the Italian Open on Friday.