Purpose of this policy

1   To ensure that all flags at City Hall and other City operated/owned facilities are flown and displayed in a consistent and appropriate manner.

Authority

2   Community Charter; City Council.

Displaying of flags

3   (1) Only the National Flag of Canada, the Provincial Flag of British Columbia, and the City of Abbotsford flag are raised on the three flagpoles at the facilities identified in Schedule “A”, Flagpole Locations (“City Facilities”).

(2) Flags, in general, will be displayed in accordance with the Government of Canada Flag Protocol, as amended from time to time.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the Mayor or City Manager may approve the raising of any of the following flags on the poles at the City Hall Entry Plaza.

(a) The flag of the United Nations;

(b) The flag of a country recognized by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, when an official representative is visiting the City;

(c) A flag of an official Sister City of the City of Abbotsford; or

(d) Any flag which is required to be flown by contractual obligation.

(4) When a flag of a visiting dignitary is flown it will be from the pole used to fly the City of Abbotsford flag only.

Customary flag configuration

4   The National Flag of Canada will be flown on the center flagpole. To an observer facing the main entrance, the Provincial Flag of British Columbia will fly to the left of the National Flag of Canada and the City of Abbotsford flag will be flown to the right.

Half masting of flags

5   (1) Flags are flown at half-mast as a sign of mourning. Flags to be flown at half-mast include all flags at City Facilities that are capable of half-masting.

(2) Half-masting may occur simultaneously at all City Facilities or at just one specific civic location, at the discretion of the Mayor.

(3) Property owned by the City of Abbotsford but operated by a third party is excluded from this Policy.

(4) The official period of mourning is defined as “the day of passing until sunset on the day of the funeral or celebration of life”.

(5) Flags will be flown at half-mast at all City Facilities to mark periods of official mourning upon the death of:

(a) the Sovereign;

(b) an immediate relative of the Sovereign;

(c) the Governor General of Canada;

(d) the Prime Minister of Canada;

(e) the Lieutenant-Governor of BC;

(f) the Premier of BC;

(g) a local Member of the Legislative Assembly;

(h) a local Member of Parliament;

(i) the Mayor, or former Mayor, of the City of Abbotsford;

(j) a Councillor, or former Councillor, of the City of Abbotsford; or

(k) an in the line of duty death of a City of Abbotsford employee.

(6) Flags will be flown at half-mast on an annual basis to commemorate the following occasions:

(7) The Director, Legislative Services/City Clerk is responsible for coordinating the lowering of flags at City Facilities.

Special events

6   In exceptional circumstances, and on the advice of the City Manager, the Mayor may approve the half-masting of flags not provided for in this Policy.

Financial implications

7   Flags will be maintained in good condition and replaced when showing signs of wear, tear or discolouration. An annual budget is established to cover the costs of maintaining and replacing flags at City Facilities.

Removal of flags

8   Flags removed from service will be disposed of in a dignified manner and immediately replaced.

Reference

9   Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada

1   (1) City Hall – Entry Plaza

(2) Abbotsford Police Department Headquarters

(3) Abbotsford Fire & Rescue Services – Hall #1

(4) Abbotsford International Airport - Terminal Building

(5) Five Corners Intersection – Island Garden @ South Fraser Way, McCallum Road and Essendene Avenue

(6) Exhibition Park – Rotary Stadium