The decision by a school board in Canada to ban a teacher from accompanying his father to Liberation Day celebrations in the Netherlands has caused a storm of protest across the country.

Art Boon, who is 90, was a young soldier when the Netherlands was liberated from the Nazis and was invited by the Friesland provincial council to join the celebrations marking 70 years since the end of the war.

‘The council wanted to, probably for the last time, honour any remaining vets for their contribution in the liberation,’ said Loreena McKennitt, who has started a petition calling on the school board to reconsider.

Art’s son Rick has accompanied him to other ceremonies in the past, but the school where he teaches has refused to grant him time off for this year’s event. It says it has supported him sufficiently in the past.

Art Boon told local broadcaster CTV Kitchener he is very upset by the school’s refusal to allow his son to accompany him to Holland because it may be his last trip overseas.

The Liberation ceremonies will take place from May 1 to 10.