Laval high class trip to Ottawa for Remembrance Day cancelled due to security concerns

A group of students from a Laval high school will not be heading to Ottawa for Remembrance Day ceremonies after the school board cancelled the trip due to security concerns.

This year's ceremony at the National War Memorial will be marked by the recent murders of two Canadian soldiers. Organizers expect larger than normal crowds – but the students of Laval Liberty High School won't be among them.

Over the weekend, the Sir Wilfred Laurier School Board cancelled the trip the school has taken for the last five years.

Parent Paul Leal had been planning with the school's leadership team.

“I don't know what the message is that they're trying to send. The message I'm trying to say is, ‘Don't be afraid.’ Why cancel something when you have no warnings from Ottawa, and no sustainable reason as to why we shouldn't be going?” he said, adding that the school should leave it up to parents to decide.

“If someone is concerned as a parent, then don't send your child. I totally respect that. That's fine. Myself as a parent I have no issues and I'm deciding to send my children,” he said.

The school board declined CTV Montreal’s request for an interview, but said they had no complaints from parents and simply wanted to err on the side of caution.

The English Montreal School Board also cancelled its trip to Ottawa, but wouldn't comment on whether it was due to security concerns.

These measures are going too far, said Norman Shelton, the Quebec president of the Royal Canadian Legion.

He says legions were told two weeks ago schools weren't taking part in their Remembrance Day ceremonies.

“It was an email that came through the army that there will be no kids at our ceremonies, at any ceremonies in Quebec. As a school, they will not be there,” he said.

Schools are opting instead to celebrate Remembrance Day indoors.

Shelton said they'll miss the students at this year's events, since they play a vital part in carrying on the legacy of remembrance.

“It's very sad they've taken this because you can't cancel all the activities. It should be up to the parents,” he said.

Meantime, Leal said he's still planning on making his way to Ottawa.

“What we're trying to do is still go regardless, as our own outing to Ottawa and maybe take some alumni from the leadership program, and be there with our fellow Canadians,” he said.