Personnel “misinterpreted a message” claims Parliamentary Protective Service.
Following reports that Canadian energy industry worker William Lacey was ordered to remove a shirt showing support for Canada’s oil & gas sector, the Parliamentary Protective Service is apologizing.
Reporter Mercedes Stephenson shared the news:
“The Parliamentary Protective Service is apologizing to a man after telling him he couldn’t wear his shirt on a tour of Parliament bc it “may offend some ppl.” He was given the choice of turning it inside out, or not continuing w the tour. He turned it inside out.”
The Parliamentary Protective Service is apologizing to a man after telling him he couldn't wear his shirt on a tour of Parliament bc it "may offend some ppl." He was given the choice of turning it inside out, or not continuing w the tour. He turned it inside out. #cdnpoli (1/3)
— Mercedes Stephenson (@MercedesGlobal) September 5, 2019
“William Lacey was wearing a shirt that said “I ❤️🍁oil & gas” which the Parliamentary Protective Service guard deemed potentially offensive. There is a dress code which makes reference to political messages, not clear if the guard was misinterpreting that”
https://twitter.com/MercedesGlobal/status/1169727710354182147
“In a statement to Global News the PPS says “the personnel misinterpreted a message on the visitor’s article of clothing. The staff involved will be receiving operational guidance and training with respect to visitors to the Hill.”‘
In a statement to Global News the PPS says "the personnel misinterpreted a message on the visitor’s article of clothing. The staff involved will be receiving operational guidance and training with respect to visitors to the Hill." #cdnpoli (3/3)
— Mercedes Stephenson (@MercedesGlobal) September 5, 2019
It’s good to see the PPS taking swift action and apologizing, at is outrageous that a shirt showing support for a key Canadian industry would be somehow seen as ‘offensive.’
The free expression rights of Canadians must be protected.
Spencer Fernando
Photo – Twitter
