A new policy is in place for the flying of temporary and permanent flags outside municipal buildings in Chatham-Kent.
Earlier this week, council voted 13-5 in favour of the new policy, which outlines flag protocol, as well as guidelines for flying temporary flags for groups and organizations.
Municipal staff had recommended the installation of a new community flagpole, near the intersection of King Street West and Second Street, away from the existing flagpoles flying the Canadian, Ontario, and municipal flag currently stand near the entrance to the Civic Centre. That recommendation was removed from the motion before the policy was approved.
The need for a municipal flag policy arose when North Kent Coun. Rhonda Jubenville brought in a motion to limit flag-flying to the Canadian, provincial and municipal flags at the Civic Centre in 2023. She had issues that some community groups and charities were allowed to fly their flag on municipal flagpoles, while other groups, such as the group Life in Motion, the educational arm of Right to Life Kent, were ignored when they requested to fly their flag.
In an effort to provide more clarity, council brought in a motion to have administration develop a policy and protocol to provide direction and an administrative framework for the proper and consistent use of flags and flagpole(s) at all municipal facilities.
With a new flag policy now in place, the municipality will not fly the flag of any group or organization whose undertakings or philosophy are contrary Chatham-Kent’s policies or by-laws, including but not limited to espousing hatred, violence, or racism, or are politically or religiously motivated or represent other individual convictions or deemed to be discriminatory under the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Flags will not be flown for businesses or commercial enterprises.