With the municipality’s flag-raising policy up for potential debate later this month, Chatham-Kent’s mayor has gone on the record to say he doesn’t want to see it changed.
During council’s last meeting on April 3, rookie Councillor Rhonda Jubenville entered a notice of motion to debate the current policy about what flags can be flown outside of the Civic Centre in Chatham.
To avoid discrimination against groups whose flags have not been flown at city hall, Jubenville said she wants to see the policy restricted to include only the Canadian, Ontario and Chatham-Kent flags.
The change to the policy would exclude several flags that are flown annually to promote public awareness campaigns and community organizations.
“There are a lot of great organizations that we fly flags proudly for and my opinion is that we continue doing that,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “It’s been a great process for years and years here in Chatham-Kent.”
Canniff emphasized that council has not yet provided its opinion on changing the policy, and that a second councillor would have to support Jubenville’s motion before debate can take place.
“That notice of motion does not reflect [everybody’s] opinion,” said Canniff “There’s not an expression of opinion from anyone until we start debating it.”
Jubenville will bring forward the motion at council’s next meeting on April 24.
