Article content

For the past 19 years, students at an Ottawa high school have hoisted 10-pound military rifles to feel what it may be like to lug one around in the muddy trenches. They’ve met veterans and heard their stories, learning how their families were affected and what it was like to fight so far from home.

But this year — the year that was supposed to mark the 20th Remembrance Day Symposium at Notre Dame High School — they will get no such chance.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or No tanks, guns or Remembrance Day Symposium for Ottawa school Back to video

The traditional school event, scheduled for Nov. 10, has been cancelled because of a school committee decision to ensure there were “no tanks or guns” at the event, its co-ordinator told participants in an email last Friday.

[np-related]

History teacher Gene Michaud said he resigned when the committee of school staff decided there cannot be any kind of weaponry at the school — including military replica guns, disabled firearms or military vehicles.

“The idea of having real soldiers with their accoutrements, and vehicles, coupled with you the historians with your impressive displays are no longer possible in the present day schools,” he wrote in the email, obtained by the National Post.