Newmarket veteran and Ward 4 candidate Chris Dupee is backing down after openly defying legion policy about poppy usage on campaign signs.
After the Royal Canadian Legion threatened Dupee with legal action, he said he decided this week to cover up the poppies emblems on his signs. This comes after Dupee argued those who have served should be allowed to use the symbol.
The candidate who did a tour in Afghanistan said he was not capable of taking on the legion in a legal battle. He said the poppy was a way for him to easily signify his veteran status.
“A lot of our pride has been stripped away during our services, and due to service,” he said, adding that there is the importance of having a symbol to use “without having to talk about it, because talking about your service is very, very uncomfortable.”
The legion has a registered trademark on the poppy, barring its use in most circumstances without prior permission. Nickolas Harper, another veteran running for office in Bradford West Gwillimbury, was also asked to remove poppies from his signs.
The legion’s communications manager, Nujma Bond, said they have a responsibility to safeguard the poppy and ensure it is not politicized or used for individual gain.
“The poppy is a symbol of remembrance of Canada’s fallen — not a tool for political candidates,” Bond said. “We ask that they please find other ways to reflect veteran status during a political campaign.”
Despite dropping the fight, Dupee said he is glad to have sparked a conversation. He said he would like to see a change in legion policy on this and believes there are enough veterans out there that back the position.
It is not unfair to have a political advantage for service, he said.
“If that’s the case, serve yourself.”
But it is not his goal to insult the legion, he said.
“I quickly realized that I’m only one man, and to try to take on some kind of legal spat with the legion is not in the cards," he said. "I respect the legion."
Still, there could stand to be a loosening of the rules on poppy use for veterans, Dupe added.
“I want to see more support from the legion,” he said. “It would be nice if we can get some policy change to be able to identify (ourselves).”
After ending his spat with the legion, Dupee said he is focusing solely on the campaign and local issues.
“I just look forward to hopefully being able to serve my community."
