Lowering of Langford Flag Policy – Proposed Repeal and Replacement

Executive Summary

The flying of flags at half-mast is a strong visual statement that speaks to the sense of loss shared by members of the community. The City’s Lowering of Langford Flag Policy (POL-0010-ADMIN) was adopted in 2006, attached as Appendix A. Staff believe this Policy would benefit by being repealed and replaced with a new policy with expanded language to ensure consistency with the City’s longstanding flag protocol practices, respect for federal and provincial guidelines, and incorporation of a diverse and inclusive lens to what flags represent.

Staff have drafted proposed Flag Protocol Policy (POL-0179-ADMIN), attached as Appendix B, for Committee’s consideration.

Background

At the June 19, 2006, Regular meeting, Council passed a resolution adopting a policy entitled “Lowering of Langford Flags” as follows:

“That Council adopt the Flag Lowering Policy as proposed:
Purpose
To recognize the loss of Canadian military and other personnel in the line of duty.
Implementation
a) The death, in action, of any Canadian Service Personnel,
b) The death, on duty, of any RCMP Officer stationed in the West Shore,
c) The death, on duty, of any Langford Firefighter,
will be recognized by flying the flags at half-mast from the time that the news is received and for the next full day.
Other deaths may be recognized in a similar fashion by approval of the Mayor.”

Staff have identified that over the years the City’s practices have varied in respect to how long and for whom a flag has been lowered in the instance of a death as outlined in the existing policy. Most commonly, the flag has been lowered from the time of notification of death until the day of the funeral, or first operational day following the funeral.

Commentary

It is common for local governments to have policies establishing protocol for flying flags, inclusive of general flag etiquette, half-masting, flag raising, flying of guest flags, flag maintenance, and disposal procedures. The current policy is intended to address how the City responds to the loss of specific classes of persons including military and first responders lost in the line of duty. Flags, both at full and half-mast, also play a role in signifying support for certain activities both locally and around the world. Examples of this can be seen in flying a Pride flag or an Indigenous flag in recognition of Pride Month, Indigenous history month or Truth and Reconciliation Day.

Many of the municipal policies that were researched follow the national and provincial flag protocol guidelines. Staff propose that these guidelines be included within the City’s policy, and that the new Policy be named “Flag Protocol Policy” as a significant number of additional protocols have been proposed to support staff working within the Policy when handling flags in the City of Langford.

The municipal policies reviewed typically included expanded lists of individuals recognized upon notification of death, such as past or present members of parliament, Mayors or Council members, active employees, firefighters, and RCMP members within the jurisdiction.

The proposed new policy includes an expanded list of who may be recognized, together with general etiquette and flag protocols that are consistent with the City’s current procedures.

Staff are recommending that the proposed policy be adopted as presented.

Financial Implications

The proposed new policy and flag protocol guidelines provide a balanced approach that can be managed within existing resources.

Legal Implications

There are no noted legal implications in respect to the proposed repeal and replacement of this policy.

Strategic Plan Alignment

5 – Good Governance

Options

Option 1

THAT Community Advisory Committee recommend that Council repeal City of Langford “Lowering of Langford Flag Policy” (POL-0010-ADMIN) and replace with City of Langford “Flag Protocol Policy” (POL-0179-ADMIN) as presented.

OR Option 2

THAT Community Advisory Committee recommend that Council repeal City of Langford “Lowering of Langford Flag Policy” (POL-0010-ADMIN) and replace with City of Langford “Flag Protocol Policy” (POL-0179-ADMIN) as presented with the addition of the following amendments:
a. _______________;
b. _______________;
c. _____________.

OR Option 3

THAT Community Advisory Committee recommend that Council take no action with respect to City of Langford Lowering of Flags Policy (POL-0010-ADMIN) at this time.

Submitted By

Melisa Miles, Manager of Legislative Services

Concurrence:
Donna Petrie, Senior Manager of Communications & Economic Development
Yari Nielsen, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities
Kevin Bowbyes, Deputy Director of Engineering and Public Works
Chris Aubrey, Fire Chief
Matthew Baldwin, RPP, MCIP, Director of Development Services
Leah Stohmann, RPP, MCIP, Director of Community Planning and Climate Change
Katelyn Balzer, P.Eng., Director of Engineering and Public Works
Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance
Marie Watmough, Director of Legislative & Protective Services
Braden Hutchins, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Darren Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer

Attachments:

• Appendix A – Current “Lowering of Flags Policy” (POL-0010-ADMIN)
• Appendix B – Proposed “Flag Protocol Policy” (POL-0179-ADMIN)

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Appendix A – Current “Lowering of Flags Policy” (POL-0010-ADMIN)

CITY OF LANGFORD
SUBJECT: Lowering of Langford Flag
New Policy - Council Resolution of June 19 t h, 2006
Lowering of Langford Flags
SECTION: Administration
POLICY NO: 0330-60

Purpose
To recognize the loss of Canadian military and other personnel in the line of duty.

Implementation
a) The death, in action, of any Canadian Service Personnel,
b) The death, on duty, of any RCMP Officer stationed in the West Shore,
c) The death, on duty, of any Langford Firefighter,
will be recognized by flying the flags at half-mast from the time that the news is received and for the next full day.

Other deaths may be recognized in a similar fashion by approval of the Mayor.

ADOPTED BY COUNCIL: June 19 m, 2006

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Appendix B – Proposed “Flag Protocol Policy” (POL-0179-ADMIN)

FLAG PROTOCOL POLICY
Council Policy: POL-0179-ADMIN

Original Policy: POL-0010 ADMIN
Repealed and Replaced

Presiding Council Member, Scott Goodmanson

Date: Signature:

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish protocols for flying flags at City of Langford properties and buildings and to ensure the practice of raising and lowering flags is exercised in a consistent and appropriate manner incorporating practices by the British Columbia Provincial Government Protocol, the Government of Canada, Canadian Heritage, and the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs.

Scope

This policy applies to all flags flown by or on behalf of the City of Langford.

Definitions

“City” means the City of Langford.
“Council” means the Council of the City of Langford.

Policy

1. General Flag Etiquette

a) The City of Langford follows the Position of Honour of the National Flag of Canada flag etiquette issued by the Government of Canada, and honours the Flag Protocol for the Province of British Columbia.
b) The Canadian Flag shall always be displayed in the position of priority.
c) When flags are displayed at the same height, the Canadian flag is flown on the left.
d) When only three flags are displayed, the Canadian flag should be at the center.
e) When multiple flags are flown, the Canadian flag is flown on the left.
f) When flags are displayed on an angle such that the center flag is higher than the other flags, the Canadian flag is flown in the center.
g) Only flags in good condition should be displayed. Flags that are tattered, faded or stained should never be flown.

2. City Flag

a) The City flag should be flown or displayed properly and treated with dignity and respect.
b) The City flag must never be flown at a position higher than the Canadian Flag.
c) The City of Langford reserves the right to refuse, deny or restrict the use of the City flag with respect to where or how it will be flown or displayed.

3. Half-masting

a) Flags are flown at half-mast as a sign of official mourning or commemoration.
b) To honour the deceased, flags will be flown at half-mast from the time of death notification until sunset on the day of the memorial services, unless other arrangements have been specified.
c) Should a half-masting need to be commenced on a weekend or statutory holiday, flags are permitted to be lowered on the Friday evening prior.
d) When lowering to half-mast, the flag should be raised fully to the top of the flagpole, then lowered immediately to the half-mast position.
e) When one flag is flown at half-mast, all flags flown together should also be at half-mast.
f) In accordance with the Province of British Columbia’s Half-Masting Policy, the flags will be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on the following special days:

• Workers’ Day of Mourning (April 28)
• National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism (June 23)
• Firefighters’ National Memorial Day (second Sunday in September)
• Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day (last Sunday in September)
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30)
• Remembrance Day (November 11)
• National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (December 6)

g) The flags will be flown at half-mast in the case of the death of the following people:

• A Sovereign or member of the Royal Family related in the first degree to the Sovereign
• A past or present Governor General
• A past or present Prime Minister or a present federal cabinet minister
• A past or present Lieutenant Governor
• A past or present Premier
• A past or present Mayor or Councillor
• An Indigenous leader from the Lekwungen (Songhees), Xwsepsum (Esquimalt), Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay) or WSANEC Peoples First Nations
• An active City of Langford employee, firefighter or member of the West Shore RCMP.

h) The decision to lower flags on City property, on occasions not provided for in this policy, will be made by the Mayor.
i) When half-masting is deemed appropriate by the Mayor, the Chief Administrative Officer or designate will notify the following by email:

• Council
• Senior Management
• Fire Department
• Public Works
• Communications

4. Flag Raising

a) The City of Langford will fly the following flags on City properties on a permanent basis and a temporary basis as follows:

• Royal Canadian Legion (November 11)
• Canadian Indigenous Flag (September 30 and the month of June)
• Pride Flag

b) Events involving flag raising ceremonies may be held at City Hall upon request and at the City’s discretion. The City’s Chief Administrative Officer or designate may be contacted to make arrangements for such events.

5. Responsibility and Maintenance of Flags

a) The following departments are responsible for maintaining and lowering the flags as laid out in this policy:
i) Public Works Department – City Hall location, City Centre Park location, Veterans Memorial Park Cenotaph location, Goldstream Avenue/Veterans Memorial Parkway location, Goldstream Arch location (these two (2) flags unable to be lowered), RCMP location.
ii) RCMP – West Shore RCMP location.
iii) Fire Department – Fire Hall locations.

6. Disposal of Flags

a) When a flag becomes tattered and is no longer in a suitable condition for use, it must be destroyed in a dignified way. See Disposal of the Canadian Flag on the Government of Canada’s website.

Adopted by Council
Meeting Date:

CERTIFIED CORRECT

ADMINISTRATOR DATE: