Whole Foods flips on poppy ban after criticism from Ford, MPs
On the sidewalk outside Whole Foods Market's doorway at Lansdowne Park Friday, someone placed a large brown envelope filled with poppies. “Take One,” the writing on the envelope read. “It's about Remembrance.”
The discreet action came after a Whole Foods employee was told she was not allowed to wear a poppy on her work apron because it contravened company policy. It was also part of a larger campaign that reached Queen's Park and the House of Commons, and by day's end Friday saw the Jeff Bezos/ Amazon-owned grocery chain reverse its policy.
“Crossing Canadians when it comes to hockey and poppies is just a bad idea,” Conservative MP Alex Ruff said in a phone call Friday afternoon.
The story exploded when an employee at the Lansdowne Whole Foods said she was told she couldn't wear a poppy at work.
“I personally feel quite strongly that our active and veteran military should be remembered and honoured for their sacrifices, for our country and for others,” she wrote in an email this week. “You can imagine how appalled and infuriated I felt.”
The reasoning she says she was given was that wearing a poppy might be seen as supporting a cause, and if it were permitted, it could open the door for supporting other causes. The U.S.-based company had already faced backlash, and legal action, when it told employees they couldn't wear Black Lives Matter masks at work.
“I have no problem if other people don't wear them (poppies),” wrote the Lansdowne employee, who asked to remain anonymous, “but it feels so wrong that I'M not allowed to wear one.”
A spokesperson for the Austin, Texas-based company confirmed its uniform policy Friday morning, noting in an email that Whole Foods “honours the men and women who have and continue to bravely serve their country. We support Remembrance Day in all of our Canadian stores by observing a moment of silence on November 11th and by donating to the Legion's Poppy Campaign. With the exception of those items required by law, our dress code policy prohibits any additions to our standard uniform.”
But in Question Period in the House of Commons Friday, MPs voiced their outrage. Ruff, the Conservative member for Bruce- Grey- Owen Sound and a retired Canadian Armed Forces colonel, said he was shocked and disappointed, and called Whole Foods' policy “misguided” and “an affront to our veterans.”
“Without our veterans,” he added, “Canada would not be the country we are so proud to call home. Other nations, like the Netherlands understand this. Why does Whole Foods not?”
Ruff said that although Whole Foods has every right to set a dress code for its employees, “taking away rights from their employees and banning poppies that Canadians wear in remembrance of those who have made the supreme sacrifice is just plain wrong.
“What I do know,” he added, “is that it is within all Canadians' rights to no longer shop at Whole Foods.”
Local Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre, agreed, asking the government to join with Canadians in boycotting Whole Foods until it changes its policy.
Three consent motions received unanimous support in Question Period, including one put forward by Ruff to have Whole Foods Market CEO John Mackey appear before the Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs to explain his company's policy.
The pressure appears to have worked. Liberal MP and Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay announced via Twitter on Friday afternoon that Whole Foods had reversed course. “Just spoke to the Chief Operating Officer of Whole Foods,” he wrote. “Employees will now be able to wear their poppies at work.”
In a tweet earlier Friday, Ontario Premier Doug Ford vented his anger over Whole Foods' poppy-free policy. “It's disgusting and disgraceful that @WholeFoods has banned poppies for their employees. We will always stand with our veterans. Whole Foods should apologize and immediately reverse this decision. Everyone should wear a poppy #lestweforget.”
Later in the day, he promised action on the matter. “We will introduce legislation that prohibits any employer from banning their staff from wearing a poppy during Remembrance Week. #lestweforget #onpoli.”
Some Whole Foods customers on Friday expressed similar dismay. “Think of what the soldiers went through for us to get to where we are. It's as simple as that,” said Beverley Wright.
Royal Canadian Legion spokesperson Nujma Bond, meanwhile, noted that while the reasons for Whole Foods original edict were unclear, the Legion is “thankful for the many partners and retailers like Whole Foods who contribute in various ways to the National Poppy Campaign.