jetsetter
Forum Addict
Toronto's City Hall has ordered fire fighters and paramedics to remove yellow magnetic ribbons supporting Canadian troops in Afghanistan from their emergency vehicles.
The decals must be removed from all vehicles by Sept.4 but the reason behind the removal order, who made it and who gave permission for the decals to be used in the first place remains unknown.
Some speculate the order to remove the ribbons came because proper protocol to use the decals was not followed.
Others say city council does not want the vehicles to appear supportive of the war in Iraq.
Public relations staff, the head of Emergency Medical Services and Toronto's Fire Chief Bill Stewart were in attendance at a recent emergency meeting to discuss the topic.
The issue has since been added to Tuesday's city council agenda.
Some councilors believe the order to remove the decals is a black mark on the city.
"I was stunned this morning to hear on the radio that some official at the city had ordered emergency services, particularly ambulances, to take off the decal that supports our troops in Afghanistan," city councilor Brian Aston told CTV News on Tuesday.
"These decals are on there and it makes a very strong statement. To take them off, Toronto is the largest city, would just be an outrage. It would be a black eye on the reputation of our city," Ashton said.
Coun. Janet Davis said just as many councillors want to see the decals removed as those who support their presence on emergency vehicles.
The Toronto Fire Fighter's Association said it appreciates that protocol must be followed in such an instance and maintains its employees continue to support troops in Afghanistan.
"They have been on there for six to nine months and we support the troops," Scott Marks, a spokesperson from the Toronto Fire fighter's Association, told CTV News on Tuesday.
"It was a non political statement and so I mean from that perspective, I think we have been able to see that support come to fruition anyways."
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/lo...roops_ribbons_070619/20070619?hub=TorontoHome
Disgraceful.