Nova Scotia is passing a bill to clarify that military members are legally allowed to wear their uniforms in government buildings.

Military members are already allowed to wear their uniforms in government buildings and spaces, including national parks, but the new law would make it more clear.

Barbara Adams, the minister responsible for Military Relations, said the government wanted to show respect for people in the Canadian Armed Forces and veterans, especially as the mother of a son in the military.

“They deserve to know that they are welcome in government-owned or -operated spaces when in uniform. This bill makes it clear that serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces and veterans can wear their uniforms in those spaces in accordance with the Canadian Armed Forces policies and guidelines,” said Adams.

Her son, John Lavoie, works in the air force and was away for 13 years until a few months ago, when he was posted to CFB Halifax.

Adams said she recently went to a wreath-laying at CFB Shearwater with her son.

“I can tell you, standing beside my son in his uniform for the first time in an official capacity, was a pretty special moment,” said Adams.

CFB Halifax has the largest population of any military base in Canada, according to a government news release. And Nova Scotia has the highest amount of military assets, like bases, ships, etc., than any other province or territory, about 40 per cent of Canada’s total military assets.

Bill comes after incident at Elementary School

The new rule is part of a bill tabled on Thursday at the legislature.

It comes after an incident last year, where Sackville Heights Elementary School in Middle Sackville had asked military members to attend their Remembrance Day ceremony without wearing their uniforms.

The school made the request through a newsletter emailed to families, but they later took back their request.

They said the initial intent was to create a welcoming environment for students who have come from conflict zones and who might feel uncomfortable around military imagery.

At the time, Premier Tim Houston spoke out and criticized the incident, calling the school’s actions “cowardly and insulting.”

In a social media post, Houston stated, “The leaders at this school are disgracing themselves while demeaning the people who protect our country.”

However, Minister Adams said on Thursday that the bill was not in response to that or any particular incident. Nor is it a response to any concerns expressed by military members over wearing their uniforms in provincial government buildings.

Adams also would not say whether the bill would become law ahead of Nov. 11.

She said the government would iron out the specific regulations later, including potential exceptions. She said consultations may show them that the law could have a negative effect in certain places, like the courthouse, where a uniform could “impact something.”

“This bill was generated by our provincial government, and certainly as a minister of military relations and as a mother of a son in the military, this was an action that we wanted to take as a provincial government to show our respect for our Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans,” said Adams.