>>What's the political statement made by wearing a poppy?

I haven't the foggiest.

But it's a fund-raising campaign run by a non-governmental entity. I don't think it's political or controversial. But most non-governmental fund-raising campaigns will also claim they are non-controversial and non-political, so why can't they get a uniform-code exception supported by provincial and federal prime minister?

>>Did Whole Foods make a political statement when they enacted the poppy ban?

I think Whole Foods have a uniform policy that says "wear no insignia other than these things", and as such it's as a-political as things can get these days.

In principle, making an exception for this one cause is formally the political statement.

As I said, I think it's a case of damned if you do damned if you don't. I happen to agree with this particular cause and am glad it's receiving support, but I don't necessarily know what objective differentiator we can write down, agree and use that would fit the poppy campaign but not million others.