Item - 2026.MM39.35

Councillor Jon Burnside, seconded by Councillor Michael Thompson, recommends that:

1. City Council amend its flag raising policy to eliminate the flying flags of foreign nations on the courtesy flag poles at Toronto City Hall and civic centres effective immediately.
 

2. City Council amend its flag raising policy to eliminate the flying of flags requested by non-profit or charitable organizations on the courtesy flag poles at Toronto City Hall and civic centres effective immediately.
 

3. City Council authorize the continuation of the following City of Toronto hosted flag raisings and accompanying ceremonies: the flags of Indigenous and Treaty partners, the Intersex Pride flag, the Black Liberation flag, the flags of professional sport organizations, and the flags of cities that are part of the City’s International Alliance program.
 

4. City Council direct the City Clerk to review the City’s current flag raising policy, and report to City Council in the first quarter of 2027 with a community recognition program proposal that considers the flag raising policy, the commemorative lighting program for the TORONTO sign and other recognition initiatives.

City Council adopted its current flag policy in 1999. The policy allows for the following flags on its courtesy flag poles at Toronto City Hall and civic centres with courtesy flag poles:

a. the flags of nations recognized by Global Affairs Canada, on a national day or on the anniversary of a special occasion, upon written request; and

b. the flag of a non-profit or charitable organization upon the written request of the group or organization.

City Council delegated authority to the Chief of Protocol to approve all flag raisings in accordance with Council’s policy.

This motion proposes changes to Council’s flag raising policy that would eliminate the flying of flags of foreign nations, and those of non-profit or charitable organization effective immediately.

This motion also recommends the continuation of City of Toronto hosted flag raisings and accompanying ceremonies of the following: the flags of Indigenous and Treaty partners, the Intersex Pride flag, the Black Liberation flag, and flags of professional sport organizations, and flags of cities that are part of the City’s International Alliance program.

This motion does not recommend any changes to the following: flying of the City of Toronto flag, Canada’s provincial/territorial flags and the Canadian flag as well as the City of Toronto’s half-masting policy.