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Monday, February 02, 2009
Belleisle elementary school students will now sing O Canada again
Last week, we reported on the decision by Belleisle Elementary school in New Brunswick to eliminate the singing of the national anthem due to complaints from some parents that singing of the anthem was "divisive."
Commenters on the Shotgun expressed the same outrage as others across Canada did. The result was the reinstatement of the anthem:
This week the students at Belleisle Elementary School in New Brunswick will sing the national anthem, something they haven't done before classes in over a year.
The principal at Belleisle, Erik Millett, made the decision to eliminate O Canada from the school's morning routine after some complaints from some parents. It was a quiet decision in the fall of 2007.
News of the quashing of O Canada spread, and vociferous opposition to the decision led to School district superintendent Zoe Watson to change the policy at Belleisle Elementary.
"It is very clear from the communication I have received that people want to see the national anthem played daily at this school," Watson told CTV News.
"I will act in the best interest of the Belleisle Elementary School community and reinstate the playing of the national anthem during daily announcements -- effective immediately".
You can have your say by dropping a comment, or by participating in our online poll (click the link to see a Google Map with the results):
h/t: Zebulon Pike in the comments
Posted by P.M. Jaworski on February 2, 2009 in Canadian Politics | Permalink
Comments
People who find the national anthem of the country in which they reside to be "divisive" need to leave.
Best regards,
Gail S
Posted by: Gail S | 2009-02-02 11:11:39 AM
Spot on, Gail.
Posted by: Alain | 2009-02-02 4:25:26 PM
That's a damn shame that the school gave in to public pressure. How can change happen if everyone still holds on to these silly nationalist ideals?
Posted by: indian | 2009-02-03 12:49:40 AM
Most francophone schools in Quebec don't have O Canada sung or played.
Posted by: Tim Trudeau | 2009-02-04 12:56:41 AM
Minority or not, as Canadian citizens these people should be proud to live in the best country in the world and welcome the national anthem to be played in schools or elsewhere. Do these same people complain about our national anthem being played at NHL hockey games? What balderdash, a slap in the face to those Canadian soldiers who fought in the world wars and peace-keeping efforts and now in the middle east giving of their lives for our country and its well deserved freedoms. If they don't like living here then should leave.
Posted by: Tim Pare | 2009-02-09 7:51:46 PM
When the facts became known that principal Millett had changed the meaningless daily playing of the anthem over a P.A. system with the active singing of the anthem by students at a monthly assembly with the Canadian flag present, I believe people would have supported his decision. He tried to be sensitive to student needs while being patriotic. He was crucified by a public reactiong without knowing the facts. As a longtime principal, I congratulate principal Erik Millett for making a sound decision.
Posted by: don | 2009-02-10 1:54:11 PM
Don, you suffer from a conceit all too common to those in the education business: You think taxpayers are stupid. First, we have only your word that playing "O Canada" over the P.A. is "meaningless." That is opinion, not fact. Second, it does not matter what you believe; it only matters what you can prove. Third, being excused from singing the national anthem is not a "need." I have yet to hear a quote from ANY religion's scripture that forbids the faithful to sing a patriotic song. Receiving a complaint is NOT the same as receiving a LEGITIMATE complaint, and wise administration involves taking the right decision rather than the path of least resistance.
Congratulations on your congratulations of this sorry milquetoast of a man. As you can see, you're quite alone in your accolades. Let me ask you this, teach: What is the sound of one hand clapping?
Posted by: Shane Matthews | 2009-02-10 2:59:48 PM
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