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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.

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“Our Government will not allow the Christmas spirit to be grinched,” Clement said.

This is an inclusive time of year. We have people of all faiths, we have people of no faith

A statement was to be issued Monday 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 e-mails to employees telling them they could hang holiday decorations in their personal spaces, but not in areas serving the public.