Students’ appeal leads Nova Scotia to mandate singing of O Canada at schools

Following a dedicated student-led campaign, Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservative government has mandated that all public schools will now play the national anthem every morning.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Following a dedicated student-led campaign, Nova Scotia's Progressive Conservative government has mandated that all public schools will now play the national anthem every morning.

Education Minister Brendan Maguire issued the directive Thursday after receiving a letter from Grade 12 students at Charles P. Allen High School in Bedford. The students expressed concern that their school no longer played “O Canada.”

“O Canada, a patriotic symbol and a hallmark of our national identity, has been missing from our corridors and classrooms,” the letter reads, according to CTV News. “This omission to play the anthem is problematic in itself as it works to undermine tradition, continuity and national pride, as well as the sacrifices of men and women of the armed forces and so many others who have fought to secure the Canada which we love and cherish today.”

KC Min, who emigrated from South Korea in 2019, was among the students who penned the letter.

“I haven’t heard any anthem since my first day here in high school, which would have been two years ago,” Min told CTV News. “I think it’s important to be patriotic … I’m an immigrant here, I thank this country for all the opportunities I have, so I think it’s really important to stand up for our values and patriotism for Canada.”

Before the new policy, there was no province-wide mandate on the books requiring the playing of O Canada. It was up to the discretion of individual schools.

However, the new policy leaves no room for interpretation.

“The playing of the national anthem is intended to remind students of their citizenship and foster a sense of pride and being part of a larger community,” reads the policy. “All principals must ensure the Canadian national anthem is played at their school at the beginning of each school day.”

The policy applies to all schools in Regional Centres for Education and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial in Nova Scotia — meaning all public English and French schools.

School administrators, teachers and support staff, and students are also ordered by the directive to “model respectful behaviour when the national anthem is being played.”

The Nova Scotia PC Party shared the news on X on Thursday.

“Our PC government has issued a new directive requiring all schools to play the national anthem every morning. A simple tradition that builds pride in Canada and respect for our shared values,” wrote the party.