Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) councillor Roy Sengupta plans to present a motion to condemn the white poppy campaign at the next council meeting Nov. 19.
The motion would “officially and strongly” condemn the “insensitive, hurtful, and disrespectful white poppy campaign” and “recognize the important meaning, symbolism, and history of the traditional red poppy.”
Sengupta, a councillor for the department of humanities, said CUSA’s values should represent the student body.
“I felt that the white poppy campaign is something that students have really strongly voiced themselves against,” he said. “It was important for council to serve and [be] something more than just a dispersement of funds.”
Sengupta said if the motion passes it will ensure Remembrance Day remains “the non-partisan remembrance that every citizen deserves.”
Celyn Dufay, spokesperson for Ceasefire’s “I Remember for Peace” campaign, which distributes the white poppies, described the motion as “unfortunate,” and said the campaign was not understood.
“The proposed objective of our campaign was to get young students out to Remembrance Day ceremonies to honour our veterans and to focus a peaceful message for the future, which is what they fought for,” Dufay said.
Chris Bisson, a Carleton graduate who grew up in a Canadian Forces family, called the motion going to CUSA council “petty.”
“I think that students should have the choice to remember those killed in war as they wish. The white poppy does not challenge the red one,” he said.
“They are pushing through a dogmatic and ham-fisted condemnation, ultimately politicizing the way people choose to remember the loved-ones they lost through war,” he said via email.
Sengupta said there is always room for debate in a council meeting and he has invited the “I Remember for Peace” campaign to the next meeting.
According to CUSA’s constitution, motions passed at council meetings are the association’s legislation.
Undergraduate students at Carleton paying CUSA fees can attend, propose motions, amendments, and have full speaking rights at council.
The Rideau River Residence Association recently entered the white poppy debate following a Facebook post by president Will Cathcart.
The post stated with #whitepoppies said red poppies are for “Real Canadians.”
Cathcart later said someone’s poppy choice does not make them any less Canadian.
