Under the education act in Ontario, all schools in the province must display the Canadian and provincial flags inside the building. Schools are, of course, also permitted to fly the Canadian flag on its poles outside. However, a move to take the Canadian flag down and replace with a pride flag at a Barrie school has caught the eye of many. Earlier this month, Trillium Woods Elementary School took down its Canadian flag and raised the pride flag instead - a move that’s receiving mixed reviews from parents. “Never bring it down - add to it. Never bring down the Canadian flag. Too many people fought hard for the actual privilege to live here,” says Rob Cikoja, a Barrie resident. As of Tuesday, the Canadian flag is back up on the pole outside the school sitting at half-staff. The Simcoe County District School Board says upon the direction of the director of education or designate, a single flag other than the national flag of Canada may be raised for a specific time to recognize an event, occasion or period of significance. The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board has a different stance, which chooses to never take down the Canadian Flag. The following is a statement from the the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board: “The Canadian flag flies on our flag poles. Our schools have been provided with Pride and Every Child Matters flags, which are displayed in prominent ways throughout our buildings. Flags are just one of many ways that we demonstrate to our students that our spaces are safe and welcoming.” At the Barrie Legion, the Canadian military veteran’s unity flag was on display Tuesday where efforts are underway to get the flag accepted nationally as a symbol for all veterans. Members say they support the pride flags flying, but not at the cost of the Canadian Flag. “I’m disappointed that the knowledge of the display of the Canadian flag - that’s what I’m disappointed in. It shouldn’t have happened. It simply shouldn’t have happened,” says Bob George, the Veterans Club of Barrie Executive. “Even the Veterans Club of Barrie - they could not put it up in place of the Canadian flag. No other flag replaces the national flag.” “I would prefer that the Canadian flag be flown and remain up and that that flag be flown in addition to the Canadian flag,” says Bill Sargeant with the Barrie Legion. Many parents picking their kids up from school Tuesday say they noticed the flag switch. “Not having it up? It’s not called for, right? I think it’s the governments and everything else’s responsibility to ensure we have that Canadian flag up,” says John Doe, a Barrie Resident. Many Canadian flags flying across the country are not in the best of condition, often old or torn, which some veterans consider disrespectful. Members at the legion tell CTV News they would like people to drop off their old and unwanted flags so they can be discarded with respect and not just thrown out.
