9.E.1 FLAG ETIQUETTE BACKGROUND During discussions at council meetings over the past year it was determined that information should be gathered and presented so that decisions can be made regarding flag etiquette for the numerous flag poles maintained by our municipality. With the most recent addition of two flag poles at Southwest Middlesex Memorial Park we now fly 27 flags on 23 poles across our municipality (as outlined in a July 8, 2015 report to council). In the past there have been instances where the Glencoe Fire Station or the O.P.P. Station have flown their flags at halfmast while all remaining flags were unchanged. A policy would help ensure all future decisions are uniform and consistent. ANALYSIS The Canadian government s Canadian Heritage website (www.pch.gc.ca) includes all of the protocol for flag etiquette in Canada including rules for flying the flag, position of honour and half-masting. Here is a summary of the information from this website that should be considered when creating a SWM policy or by-law: Canada does not have legislation regarding how flags may be displayed, just established practice. These rules are in no way mandatory for anyone, but may serve as guidelines. The National Flag should not be displayed in a position inferior to any other flag and should always be flown on its own mast. We currently fly the National Flag on the same mast as our municipal flag in 4 locations the Ekfrid Community Centre, McArthur Park, Strathburn Park and the Wardsville Library. Position of Honour when three flags are displayed the National Flag should be at the centre and the second-ranking flag placed to the left from the point of view of the observer. When two or more than three flags are displayed, the position of honour is furthest to the left (to an observer facing the display). Precedence the order of precedence for flags is: 1. The National Flag of Canada 2. The flags of other sovereign nations in alphabetical order (if applicable)
3. The flags of the provinces of Canada (in the order in which they joined 4. The flags of the territories of Canada (in the order in which they joined 5. The flags of municipalities/cities 6. Banners of organizations 7. Historic Flags Mandatory Half-masting The rules adopted by the Government of Canada for halfmasting are specific to the National Flag. These rules specify the duration of halfmasting on all federal buildings and establishments in Canada upon the death of the Sovereign, the current and former Governor Generals, the current and former Prime Ministers, particular members of the Sovereign s family, Chief Justice of Canada, Members of the Canadian Ministry, current Lieutenant Governor, Privy Councillors, current Senators, current members of the House of Commons. Generally the rule is to have the Flag flown at half-mast from the time of notification of death until sunset on the day of the funeral or, if there is to be a memorial service, then from the time of notification of death until sunset the following day and from sunrise to sunset on the day of the memorial service. When a Province or Territory half-masts its provincial or territorial flag for a reason other than one provided in the Rules, the Canadian Flag will be half-masted within that Province or Territory to the same geographic extent and for the same duration as that Province or Territory. Special Days The Canadian Flag will be half-masted on all federal buildings and establishments in Canada from sunrise to sunset on the following days: - April 28, Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace - June 23, National Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism - Last Sunday in September, Police and Peace Officers National Memorial Day, unless half-masting occurs at a place where a memorial is being observed, then half-masting can occur according to the prescribed order of service, until sunset - November 11, Remembrance Day, unless half-masting occurs at a place where remembrance is being observed, then half-masting can occur at 11:00 or according to the prescribed order of service, until sunset - December 6, National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women When flown at half-mast, all flags at the location should be flown together at half-mast. Discretionary Half-masting Provisions this covers scenarios for half-masting the Flag abroad (ie. at Canadian embassies) along with options following the death of a Federal Government employee or the death of a member of the Canadian Forces while deployed on operations to a special duty area.
Half-masting on Legal Holidays if the Canadian Flag is half-masted anywhere in Canada or abroad within the Rules, it must be flown at full-mast on Victoria Day and Canada Day. Factors to consider with a municipal flag policy: Whether or not to let occupants of any/all buildings determine when to fly flags at halfmast? For instance, in the recent past both the O.P.P. station and the Glencoe Fire station flew flags at half-mast on their own decision. This could also happen with the Middlesex County Libraries (with flags currently at Glencoe and Wardsville branches). Staffing requirements to adjust flags at all locations and when this could require working on weekends or statutory holidays. We estimate 2 to 3 hours to drive around to all locations and adjust all the flags, then another 2 or 3 hours to adjust back to full mast. This also takes two employees, as several poles require an extension ladder to adjust. RECOMMENDATIONS 1. The current four locations which fly the National Flag and the SWM flag on the same pole will all be changed to fly only the National Flag. 2. Council to direct staff to advise renters/leasers of any municipal properties with flag poles that these flags will be governed by the new SWM policy or by-law. 3. Council to direct staff to approach the Wardsville Masonic Hall, which we lease and which we maintain as part of the agreement, to advise them that we would like to handle that flag pole by our new policy. 4. Approve the following SWM Flag Policy (refer to next page) by by-law.
SWM Flag Policy All Southwest Middlesex properties with 2 or more flags will ensure the flags are positioned as outlined in the National Flag of Canada Policy under the Position of Honour section and as per the Precedence section. Position of Honour specifies that when three flags are displayed the National Flag should be at the centre and the secondranking flag placed to the left from the point of view of the observer. When two flags or more than three flags are displayed, the position of honour is furthest to the left (to an observer facing the display). Precedence specifies the order of flags, as follows: 1. The National Flag of Canada 2. The flags of other sovereign nations in alphabetical order (if applicable) 3. The flags of the provinces of Canada (in the order in which they joined 4. The flags of the territories of Canada (in the order in which they joined 5. The flags of municipalities/cities 6. Banners of organizations 7. Historic Flags Half-masting flying flags at half-mast signifies a period of official mourning or to commemorate significant dates. To honour the deceased SWM will fly specified flags at half-mast from the time of death notification until sunset on the day of the funeral or, if there is a memorial service, then from the time of notification of death until sunset the following day and from sunrise to sunset on the day of the memorial service. Flags will be flown at half-mast at municipally owned and operated locations, where it is feasible to do so, upon the death of the following persons: o The Sovereign o Current or past Prime Ministers o Current or past elected area representatives of the Federal and Provincial governments. o Current or past Mayor and Members of Council o Current employees of the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex. o As directed by proclamation from the Governor General of Canada or Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. o As directed by Council When flags are to be flown at half-mast, as per this policy, it will be done at a minimum at the following locations: Municipal Office, Glencoe Cenotaph & Wardsville Cenotaph.
Special Days flags will be half-masted, at specified locations as per above, from sunrise to sunset on the following days: - Last Sunday in September, Police and Peace Officers National Memorial Day (this day will also include half-masting the two flags at the Glencoe O.P.P. Station). - November 11, Remembrance Day (this day will also include half-masting the two flags at SWM Memorial Park). Battle of Longwoods Anniversary every March the two flags located at SWM Memorial Park will be half-masted in conjunction with ceremonies planned for the anniversary of the Battle of Longwoods. Process for Half-Masting: o The Administrator/Clerk will be responsible for notifying the Facilities & Recreation Manager in the event of half-masting of flags beyond the set dates specified above. Details must be provided as to the location(s), the reason, and the duration that the flag will be flown at half-mast. o When flown at half-mast, all flags at the location should be flown together at half-mast and at no time should the Canadian Flag be flown lower than any other flag.