A Holyrood father said the Canadian military crossed a line by bringing an army tank to a schoolyard, and allowing children there to touch weaponry.
The Canadian Forces have been bringing a tank to schools in the St. John's area this week.
(CBC) "I'm kind of amazed," said Jean Dandenault, whose nine-year-old daughter and her class at Holy Cross Elementary school were given a first-hand show-and-tell session with a tank and related gear.
Dandenault said he and his wife were shocked when their daughter described her day on Wednesday.
"She said, 'We had soldiers with an armed vehicle and they showed us how to use rifles.' They pulled the trigger," said Dandenault.
"It's almost unbelievable that they're showing this to Grade 4, 5, 6 [students]," he said. "I don't feel it is the place. The school is a learning place, not a place to show military [equipment].… This is basically recruitment."
The Canadian Forces have been touring schools in the St. John's area this week, as part of an outreach program.
Jean Dandenault says he was 'amazed' that his nine-year-old daughter's class was shown an army tank.
(CBC) Master Cpl. Mike Dawe said children have never been put at risk.
"They just got to hold it — that was pretty much it," said Master Cpl. Mike Dawe, who said demonstrations of a rifle are conducted safely.
"It was under supervision. I had it [and] I didn't let go of it," said Dawe. "They got to put it on their shoulder and just kind of see what it was like."
Parent Elizabeth Kenny was not bothered by a demonstration on Thursday at a school in Topsail.
"They all have questions about the army and the truck and what are they doing here, and it's great for them to take the time out and come and share this with them," Kenny said.
Meanwhile, Dandenault said he was told by the school that there was not enough time to send notices home to parents about the military visit.
He said he does not object to the Canadian Forces participating in job fairs organized for high school students.
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