Windsor adopts new rules for flag raisings

CTV Windsor’s Travis Fortnum brings you the need-to-know from Monday’s council meeting.

Windsor city council has approved a new policy that changes how requests for ceremonial flag raisings will be handled at city hall.

The revised rules mean the city will now largely follow the lead of the federal and provincial governments — only approving flag raisings tied to nationally or provincially recognized days of awareness, or organizations that have a direct partnership or funding agreement with the City of Windsor.

Alongside the updated flag policy, council also voted to eliminate the city’s proclamation and illumination programs — which allowed residents or groups to request official proclamations or to have city hall lit in specific colours to mark causes or events.

The changes were approved Monday, with councillors Kieran McKenzie, Fred Francis, and Angelo Marignani voting against.

“I’ve participated in many of the flag-raising ceremonies, and the sense of pride that you get and the feeling the residents have that they are part of our team, I think is really important,” said Marignani during the meeting.

“We need to represent the people, and that is 100 per cent of the people.”

Francis argued he saw no need to change the current policy.

City administration brought forward the updated policy citing the time and effort staff spend reviewing each request — and the reputational risk if one slips through, that later causes controversy.

The proposed changes first appeared on council’s agenda in May, prompting concerns from members of Windsor’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community who feared it could impact the rainbow flag being raised during Windsor-Essex Pride Fest — a city-sponsored event.

Derrick Biso, Director of Education and Operations for Trans Wellness Ontario, attended that May meeting, where the matter was ultimately deferred so administration could clarify its intent.

When the revised policy came back this week, it made the allowance for special flag requests tied to city-funded organizations or recognized civic events clearer — something Biso acknowledged.

“I do appreciate the change in direction. I don’t think [a new policy] is necessary per se. However, I can understand the reasoning, the logic, the rationale that they’re going with,” he said.

Mayor Drew Dilkens said the new approach adds clarity and brings Windsor in line with other levels of government.

“Recognizing that our city clerk’s office — they’re not diplomats trained to be working in diplomatic affairs and understanding all of the international relations that our country or province would have,” he said.

He added that it also reduces the risk of the city inadvertently making the wrong call.

“I think this is a sensible and appropriate policy change that at least allows us to be in a defensible position and not offside with our nation.”

According to city data, 425 requests have been made for flag raisings, proclamations, or illumination since the current policy was first adopted. Of those, 345 were approved, 79 denied and one withdrawn.

Going forward, residents wishing to request a flag raising can apply online or pick up a form at city hall.