Appendix ‘C’ POLICY MANUAL POLICY NUMBER: CORPORATE - 004 SUBJECT: FLAG FLYING AT MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS POLICY STATEMENT: (Purpose/Objective) The purpose of this Policy is to ensure that all flags flown on City property are displayed in a consistent and appropriate manner ensuring dignity and respect for whom the flags are flown. This policy also provides guidelines for receiving and considering the approval of requests from the public to display a flag on City property. RELATED POLICY PROCEDURES/GUIDELINES: Definitions: Ensign: a flag or standard, especially a military or naval one indicating nationality Flag-raising: the ceremonial raising of a flag or ensign Position of honor: where the National Flag is placed in the line of flags Half-mast: the position halfway between the top of a mast and its base to show respect for someone who has passed away. Application: This policy applies to the flying, maintenance and disposal of flags at all municipal buildings, property or facilities in accordance with the National Flag of Canada etiquette and to Community Flag Raising Ceremonies held at Brantford City Hall. Background: The City of Brantford recognizes that flags, as symbols of nations, territories and community organizations, are important to the residents of the City of Brantford. Flag-raising ceremonies enhance public awareness for activities such as national holidays, multicultural events and fundraising drives and as such, the City of Brantford offers the opportunity for communities to raise flags at City Hall enhancing awareness of special occasions and activities. The City of Brantford will lower flags to half-mast as a symbol of respect or as an expression of collective mourning. Brantford City Hall will permanently fly the National Flag of Canada and the City of Brantford Flag on its premises on a daily basis as well as fly special occasion flags where permitted by this Policy. The Brantford Tourism Centre shall fly the National Flag of Canada, the Provincial Flag of Ontario as well as the National Flag of the United States. All other City Facilities that have a flag pole on their property shall fly the National Flag of Canada. Dignity of the Flag: The National Flag of Canada shall be treated with dignity and respect at all times and should not be displayed in a position inferior to any other flag or ensign. The National Flag always takes precedence over all other national flags with the exception of the personal standards of members of the Royal Family and of Her Majesty’s representatives in Canada. The National Flag of Canada should always be flown on its own mast or flag pole and shall never touch the ground. Displaying Flags: The City follows the Order of Precedence established by the Department of Canadian Heritage and the National Flag of Canada Etiquette when flying flags and shall always ensure proper consideration and etiquette is maintained; . The National Flag will always be displayed in the position of honour, unless a Royal Standard is to be displayed; . When the National Flag is flown alone where there are two flagpoles, it should be flown on the flag pole to the left (to an observer facing the flag); . When the National Flag is flown alone where there are more than two flag poles, the flag should be flown as near as possible to the centre; . When flown or paraded, the National Flag takes priority over all other national flags; . Flags must be in excellent condition; free from tears and rips; . The National Flag may be raised and lowered each day or may be flown by night as well as by day; . When the National Flag is hung vertically, the Flag should be placed so that the upper part of the leaf is to the left and the stem is to the right as seen by the spectator; . When the National Flag is hung on a flagpole, the top left quarter should be placed in the position nearest the top of the mast; . All flags should be flown on a separate staff and at the same height, all being of the same size. When the National flag of Canada is flown with different kinds of flags, the National flag is flown on the left of a person facing the flags with the other flags flown in the following order of importance: . Sovereign nations [alphabetical order] . Provinces/territories . Internal organizations . City . Company pennant Half-Masting: Flags are flown at half-mast position as a sign of mourning and should follow the below guidelines: . The Flag should first be raised to the top of the mast and then immediately lowered to the half-mast position; . The position of the flag when flying at half-mast will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagstaff. A satisfactory position for half- masting is to place the centre of the flag exactly half-way down the staff; . On occasions requiring that one flag be flown at half-mast, all flags flown together should also be flown at half-mast; . Flags will be flown at half-mast on the death of the following persons: . The Governor General . The Lieutenant-Governor . Provincial Cabinet Ministers . Members of Parliament (in their constituency only) . Members of the Senate (in place of residence only) . Members of the Legislative Assembly (in their constituency) . Current members of City Council and Mayor . Municipal staff (at facility where employed) . Fire fighters or police officers killed in the line of duty (flags only at Police Services or Fire Station facilities) . Members of the Royal Family related in first degree to the Sovereign . On Remembrance Day, November 11th from 11:00 AM to 12:00 noon . Half-masting at City facilities in respect of a person or persons not specifically identified in this section may occur at the discretion of the Mayor. The duration of half-masting may be: . From time of notification of death until sunset on the day of the funeral or memorial service, or . From notification of death until sunset the next day and from sunrise to sunset on the day of the funeral or memorial service, or . From sunrise to sunset on the day of the funeral or memorial service. Flying of Flags at Cenotaph Requests to fly flags at the Cenotaph for the following may be approved by the Mayor: . The National Flag of Canada . The Ontario Flag . Flags of other Provinces and Territories of Canada . The City of Brantford flag . The Union Jack and the Queen’s Royal Standard may be flown daily or specifically on special occasions such as a visit from the Monarch or Her Representative at the discretion of the Mayor, City Clerk or by a resolution of City Council . Canadian and Allied Ex-Servicemen organizations Flag Raising at City Hall The City of Brantford may permit the flying of ceremonial flags on a temporary basis to mark special occasions and shall adhere to the following guidelines: . Charitable, community and ethnic groups wishing to fly their flag at City Hall shall submit a letter of request to the Mayor’s Office for approval; . Flag raising requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis; . A charitable, community or ethnic group flag will be flown for a period not to exceed one week; . The charitable, community or ethnic group flag will be flown in place of the City of Brantford Flag. The National Flag of Canada will remain flown at all times; . Flags representative of a specific ethnic group within our community will be flown provided that the request is made on behalf of the entire group for the purpose of recognizing its contribution to the life of Canada and to our community; and provided that it does not promote the objectives of a specific political organization within that ethnic community; . At no time will a charitable, community or ethnic group flag be raised prior to the National Flag of Canada; . The City may cancel a flag rising in the case of an unforeseen circumstance; . Proclamation requests in conjunction with a Flag Raising Ceremony may be permitted provided the Proclamation is in compliance with the City’s Proclamation Policy (Corporate 049). The City will not accept applications for flag raising ceremonies from: . Organizations that are political in nature; . Religious organizations or religious events/celebrations; . Events or organizations that have no direct connection with the City of Brantford; . Campaign or events intended for profit-making purposes; . Recognition of individuals; . Any and all groups or organizations that support discrimination, hatred, violence or racism. Any other requests as reviewed on a case by case basis Handling, Folding and Disposal of National Flag: . While the flag is being tied to or removed from the halyard, it shall be draped respectfully over one arm and not touch the ground. When the Flag is brought in for storage, it will be hung over its rack to dry or to be folded in the following manner: . Fold the flag lengthways in half . Fold again lengthways, in half . Depending on size, continue to fold lengthways until size is at a manageable proportion . Fold the flag in half vertically . Fold flag once more vertically . Tie with light weight cotton string or equivalent . When a flag is no longer in a suitable condition for use, it should be destroyed in a dignified way by burning it privately or in accordance with the National Flag of Canada Etiquette. Date of Enactment: Related By-law Number/Staff Report November 4, 1974 Number: 70-2010 (consolidation) XX-2020/ 2020-448 Review and Amendment Dates: Department Responsible for Review: August 11, 1980, May 9, 1983, Clerk’s Department October 11, 1983, May 31, 2002, Mayors Office March 2009 (Review) June 2010 (consolidation) November 3, 2020 Date of Next Review: Applicable Legislation/Legislative 2024 Authority: Federal Government (flag regulations) .