The Canadian flag is flying at Prescott’s town hall once again.
The Canada flag was taken down when the Pride flag was put up on Monday night. The Canadian flag was put up last night (Tuesday June 18th), with the Pride flag up beneath it.
In a Facebook post, Mayor Brett Todd says “staff has been operating under traditional flag etiquette where we fly the Canadian flag on its own at that single flagpole at town hall, to respect both the flag and this general directive.”
Todd apologized to anyone upset about the flag being taken down, and says the Canadian flag should be flown above all other flags and symbols.
Todd says Prescott honours the Canadian flag by flying it at other prominent locations like RiverWalk Park and the Marina in Prescott. He says they strongly support the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 97 with many initiatives like installing the Veterans’ Walk poppy banners connecting the Cenotaph to the Legion branch. He added the first thing he requested when he was elected as Mayor in 2010 was the installation of the Canadian Red Ensign flag, that is still currently in council chambers, to honour the many men who fought and died under that banner.
Todd says he is asking council to consider installing at least one other flagpole at town hall.
“With multiple options, we can fly the provincial and town flags as well, and ensure that this will not be an issue again while still honouring others as directed by council.”
Todd says staff has been removing the Canadian flag for a limited period of time when they fly another flag at town hall. He says the town did this in September for “much of a month to mark Alzheimer’s awareness” and did not receive complaints about the Canadian flag being removed.