Flag Policy Review

The City of Brockville is seeking public input as part of a review of the Community Flag Raisings and Flag Protocol Policy to ensure it is clearly defined and reflects community values and municipal responsibilities.

The City of Brockville recognizes that flags, as symbols of nations and community organizations, are important to Brockville residents and can help to generate a sense of community belonging.

The current Community Flag Raisings and Flag Protocol Policy allows for individuals and organizations to request that a community flag be flown on one of the City’s two designated community flagpoles, located at Tunnel Bay beside the flags of Canada, Ontario, and the City of Brockville. Community flags may be flown under the following circumstances and criteria:

• in support of a particular event by a non-profit or charitable organization
• in honour of fund-raising drives important to the residents of Brockville
• celebration of achievement
• to celebrate multi-cultural and civic events
• public awareness campaigns

The Community Flagpoles will not be used to fly flags:

• of Political Parties
• of Religious Groups
• in support of fund-raising drives that are political or religious in nature
• in support of groups, organizations, or events that promote beliefs contrary to any other City policy

In the event of a visit by a dignitary to the City of Brockville, the policy also allows that the City may fly a flag representing the visiting dignitary’s country with the approval of the Mayor. It also outlines instances when the flags are to be flown at half-mast to recognize solemn occasions.

In addition to the flying of flags, other forms of civil recognition may take place through community events, public ceremonies, proclamations, illumination of buildings or facilities, public acknowledgements or awards, and walks, marches or parades.

If you wish, review the Community Flag Raisings and Flag Protocol Policy before completing the survey.

The purpose of this survey is to gather feedback from residents about the practice of community flag raisings as a way to recognize community organizations, causes, and observances. Your responses will help inform a staff report to Council.