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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Feds again let civil servants hang holiday decorations

By: Staff Writer

Posted: 12/10/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

OTTAWA -- For a second year, the Harper government has issued a directive to civil servants giving them the green light to adorn their office space with tinsel, symbols of Santa or any other forms of holiday decorations.

The lights and decorations lift spirits, and it's perfectly fine for anyone celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah to place seasonal symbols at government work sites, says Treasury Board President Tony Clement.

"Our government will not allow the Christmas spirit to be grinched," Clement said.

A statement was to be issued today reminding federal employees of their right to festoon.

Last year, Human Resources Minister Diane Finley issued a similar directive after a government manager banished Christmas decorations, trees and holiday wreaths from front-line Service Canada offices across Quebec.

The Quebec chief of Service Canada was roundly criticized in early December 2011 after he sent emails to employees telling them they could hang holiday decorations in their personal spaces, but not in areas serving the public.

Clement said he wanted to make clear to all federal employees this year the Conservatives have no issue with the decorations.

"I see nothing wrong in the workplace at this time of the year... to have the tinsel or the Christmas cards or even a little mini-nativity scene or a Menorah," Clement said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 10, 2012 A9

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