Premier Doug Ford called it “disgusting and disgraceful” that Whole Foods had prohibited their employees from donning the poppy, and he promised to introduce a new law prohibiting any company from doing so again in Ontario.
“With the exception of those items required by law, our dress code policy prohibits any additions to our standard uniform.”
Toronto Mayor John Tory also expressed his disapproval via Twitter.
“No one should be banned from wearing a poppy. Strongly urging Whole Foods to rethink its unreasonable ban on poppies for employees. This is Canada. #CanadaRemembers #LestWeForget.”
Loblaws weighed in on the controversy, stating the company allows and encourages its staff across Canada to wear poppies, as well as supporting veterans through poppy sales.