Mississauga bans raising of non-Canadian national flags at city hall

Mississauga has banned the raising of all national flags aside from Canada’s at Celebration Square.

Mayor Carolyn Parrish moved the motion at a meeting of city council last week, noting flag raisings “have recently become a source of controversy and at times division within the community.”

Parrish said they are also taking up “significant staff time” and are incurring legal costs for the city.

National flags were previously raised under the Community Recognition Program, which was established in 2016 to support fundraising initiatives, public awareness campaigns, cultural, sport and entertainment programs and “activities that foster a spirit of community.”

Council amended the program in 2017 to include national flags.

But the flag raisings have drawn controversy in recent months.

Mississauga raised the Palestinian flag at Celebration Square back in November, despite protests from Jewish groups that the move was divisive.

Council’s move last week comes amid pressure from pro-Palestinian groups to cancel a planned raising of the Israeli flag later this month.

The motion from Parrish asked that the new rule come into effect immediately and be applied retroactively to any flag raising requests previously received or approved by city staff.

It also calls for the display of lights associated with national colours on the Civic Centre clock tower to be banned, aside from the Canadian colours.

“Our citizens come from all over the world, leaving conflicts to become Canadians. We welcome all,” Parrish said in a post on X after announcing council had approved the measure.

She invited Mississauga residents to come to city hall to pick up a free, full sized Canadian flag.

A notice on the city’s website Monday said previously approved or scheduled flag raisings will not proceed. However it noted national flags are still permitted on city property and at community-led events.

The Community Recognition Program will still continue for registered charities and non-profit groups.

Toronto recently moved to ban the raising of national flags at Toronto City Hall as well but the change won’t take effect until December. Toronto is also allowing previously scheduled flag raisings to continue.

With files from Bryann Aguilar