Calgary (Rajeev Sharma): Mayor Jeromy Farkas intends to introduce an urgent motion to amend the city’s flag-raising policy, restricting the display of national flags to that of Canada at City Hall.
Farkas stated that this decision is in response to concerns from various communities that flag-raising events, despite their good intentions, “can unintentionally heighten tensions” and risk becoming “flashpoints for conflict.”
He clarified that the Palestinian flag-raising scheduled for Nov. 15 will proceed under the current policy, but argued that future national flag-raisings should be discontinued. The proposal has drawn criticism, particularly from the Calgary Jewish Federation, which expressed concerns that ending this practice could send a troubling message about which identities are recognized and prioritized by municipal institutions.
Under the city’s current policy, temporary flag raisings are permitted for national flags of countries officially recognized by Canada, but the mayor’s motion would eliminate that.
