HomeMy Public PortalAbout23-069 - Amendment to Flag Protocol PolicyTHE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF LEEDS AND THE
THOUSAND ISLANDS
BY-LAW NO. 23-069
BEING A BY-LAW TO AMEND BY-LAW #15-060 TO ESTABLISH A FLAG
PROTOCOL POLICY IN THE TOWNSHIP OF LEEDS AND THE THOUSAND
ISLANDS.
WHEREAS The Council of the Corporation of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand
Islands deems it expedient to establish policies;
AND WHEREAS Section 5(3) of the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c. 25, as amended,
provides that a municipal power, including a municipality's capacity rights, powers and
privileges under Section 9, shall be exercised by By-law;
NOW THEREFORE The Council of the Corporation of the Township of Leeds and the
Thousand Islands hereby enacts as follows:
1. THAT the Flag Protocol Policy identified as Schedule "A" attached hereto and
forming part of this By-Law be hereby approved and adopted;
2. AND THAT this By-law shall be known and may be cited as the "Flag Protocol
Policy";
3. AND THAT this By-law shall come into force and take effect on the day of passing;
4. AND THAT any By-law or Resolution passed prior to this by-law which are in
contravention of any terms of this by-law are hereby rescinded.
READ A FIRST AND SECOND TIME THIS 14TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2023.
READ A THIRD TIME AND FINALLY PASSED THIS 14TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2023.
The Corporation of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands
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Corinna Smith-Gatcke, Mayor
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Megan Shannon, Clerk
Policy Number: Policy Type: Administration
Policy Title: Flag Protocol Policy Approval Date: November 14, 2023
Review Date: Page 1 of 3
POLICY STATEMENT
The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands owns and manages flag poles throughout the
municipality. This policy sets out the manner in which municipally owned flags shall be maintained
and managed.
PROCEDURE
The purpose of this protocol is to ensure that flags at Township sites are flown and displayed
properly and that the procedure followed ensures the dignity and respect for who the flags are
flown.
The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands will fly flags on its premises on a permanent
basis and on a temporary basis to mark special occasions. Flag-raising ceremonies enhance
public awareness of activities such as national days, multicultural events, and fundraising drives.
They encourage support from members of the public, and benefit and enrich the community. A
flag raising is the ceremonial raising of either a flag or pennant that can occur with or without an
accompanying ceremony.
The Township will fly its flags at half-mast in the event of a death or to commemorate a solemn
occasion. The act of half-masting is a strong visual statement that speaks to the sense of loss
that is shared by all citizens. The flags are lowered at the direction of the Mayor or his or her
delegate, and by the protocols outlined in this policy.
The flying of flags in the Township fall into two categories: flags that are flown permanently and
flags that are flown temporarily on special occasions.
Flags flown permanently include the National Flag of Canada and the Province of Ontario Flag.
To celebrate achievement or special event, the Township may also fly (with the approval of
Council) the flag of a charitable or non profit organization to help increase public awareness of
their programs and activities, or an organization that has helped to enhance the Township in a
positive manner. It will be the responsibility of these groups to provide the Township with the
appropriate flag. Such flags may be flown annually; however, a new request must be submitted
by the requestor each year. It is the responsibility of the requestor to provide the Department of
Operations and Infrastructure with a flag created specifically to represent their event.
Policy Number: Policy Type: Administration
Policy Title: Flag Protocol Policy Approval Date: November 14, 2023
Review Date: Page 2 of 3
The Township will not fly the flag of a group or organization whose undertakings or philosophy
are contrary to municipal policies or bylaws, espouse hatred, violence or racism.
The half-masting of flags is an act of honour expressing a collective sense of sorrow shared by all
citizens. The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands will fly its flags at half-mast in
accordance with national and provincial protocols as published by the Ministry of Canadian
Heritage and the Office of International Relations and Protocol (Ontario).
(http://www.ontario.ca/page/international- relations-and-protocol)
The federal and provincial government practice of half-masting flags is an adaptation of
international usage and reflects a long-standing custom in Canada.
Flags at Township buildings will be flown at half-mast upon the death of:
• the Sovereign;
• a member of the Royal Family related in the first degree to the Sovereign (husband, wife,
son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister);
• the Governor General of Canada, a former Governor General;
• the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, a former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario;
• the Premier of Ontario, a former Premier of Ontario;
• the Prime Minister, a former Prime Minister;
• any other person whom it is desired to honour;
• on commemorative anniversary dates legislated by the Provincial Government;
• a Senator or a Member of the House of Commons from the Province of Ontario; and
• a current Member of the Provincial Parliament of Ontario.
Flags may be half-masted in cases of lives lost while at work, or other tragic events.
Flags may also be half-masted from sunrise to sunset on the day of the funeral in the region of
the funeral for soldiers killed in the line of duty, who were originally from Ontario or recently
posted to Ontario.
Policy Number: Policy Type: Administration
Policy Title: Flag Protocol Policy Approval Date: November 14, 2023
Review Date: Page 3 of 3
Annual Half-Mast Days
In conjunction with the Province of Ontario, the Township halfmasts flags from sunrise to sunset
on:
• April 28: National Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace
• June 23: National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism
• The second Sunday in September: Firefighters’ National Memorial Day
• The last Sunday in September: National Peace and Police Officers Memorial Day
• September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• November 8: Indigenous Veterans Day
• November 11: Remembrance Day
• December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women