The Whole Foods policy on its poppies firestorm starts first thing this morning, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford.
“I find it absolutely disgusting, and disgraceful. It’s disrespectful when it comes to honouring our heroes and veterans.”
He wasn’t the only Canadian politician to respond as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau minced no words.
“I think Whole Foods has made a silly mistake. That I am hoping they will correct, very quickly,” Trudeau said.
Nation-wide condemnation of the chain’s policy banning employees from wearing poppies at work.
There’s not a lot the House of Commons agrees upon these days, but this got unanimous support as North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney introduced a point of order.
“That this House condemn Whole Foods and its owner Jeff Bezos for banning its employees from wearing poppies on their uniform. And demand that the policy be reversed immediately,” Blaney said.
On Thursday when CHEK News pushed Whole Foods to explain its policy, it released its new updated dress code.
Today, Ontario’s Ford promised legislation to prevent bans on poppies in the future.
“When our legislature returns, we will introduce legislation to stop companies from preventing their staff from wearing a poppy during remembrance week. I never, ever want to see any company in Ontario ever do this again,” Ford said at a news conference in Toronto.
BC’s Premier John Horgan issued a statement that included telling the company to give it’s head a shake.
Whole Foods responded to the backlash today by releasing a statement of its own.
“Our new unified dress code policy is intended to create consistency. Our intention was never to single out the poppy. We appreciate the thoughtful feedback we have received from our customer,” Whole Foods wrote.
Less than 24-hours after questions are raised, Whole Foods changed its course, allowing all employees to wear Canada’s symbol of remembrance.
The question now is has the damage already done?
WATCH: Whole Foods supermarket bans poppies on employees uniforms
Mary Griffin
