Norwich, Ontario, Council Votes to Allow Only Government Flags to Fly on Township Property

The Canadian flag in a file photo. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

The township of Norwich, Ontario, has voted that only flags for the municipality, province, or country will be permitted to fly on township property.

At a council meeting on April 25, which was at times disrupted by a loud, public crowd in the gallery, the five-member council voted 3–2 in favour of a motion to limit the flying of various special interest flags. Only government flags and banners related to the promotion and beautification of the downtown and local businesses will be allowed under the bylaw.

The motion, put forward by Councilor John Scholten, was originally worded to specifically exclude pride flags and “progress” flags from being flown.

“Whether flown together or apart, these [government] flags are all we need to represent the diverse and multicultural citizenship in Norwich township,” Scholten said.

“To open the door to flying flags that represent any particular group, organization, or ideology, will only divide rather than unite.”

The council was told during the more than three-hour meeting that certain flags are divisive and have resulted in costly vandalism.

After multiple submissions from members of the public and council debate, the motion was amended to remove the exclusion of certain flags, and instead worded to specify the three levels of government flags that can be flown. One council member expressed concern about the legal liability of specifically excluding any group.

Advocacy

Various members from the LGBTQ and pride community spoke at the meeting, including Tami Murray, president of the Oxford County Pride group. She told the council that “the purpose of progress flags is to reduce risk of homophobic violence, youth suicide, promote inclusion and love.”

Murray, who told the meeting she was lesbian, said anyone protesting the flying of gay pride flags should be ashamed. “All of you in protest today, shame on you. You preach Christianity but embrace hate and violence. This is hypocrisy at best,” she said.

Councilor Alisha Stubbs was against the motion to restrict flags. She said, “This entire situation right now, it’s sneaky. It’s demeaning,” she said. “I‘d like to note I’d never support something like this in good conscience.”

Scholten said the purpose of the bylaw is to maintain “unity.” He said the Canadian flag symbolizes pride and strength and is inclusive of all people, while the Ontario flag unites those that chose to make the province their home. According to Scholten, the county flag symbolizes the townships’ “agriculture and history.”

“These flags are all we need to represent the diverse and multicultural citizenship in Norwich Township. By flying these flags alone on township property, we can coexist in peace and harmony no matter who we are, what we believe. I believe that to open the door to flying flags that represent any particular group or organization or ideology will only divide rather than unite,” he said.

Scholten added the township has a budget of $9.7 million and the council is “tasked with running this township as a business.” He said anyone with personal property can fly any flag they wish, noting the bylaw only applies to town property.

“We are not in the promotion business of any particular business, group, organization, or ideology, nor have we been appointed judges of any of these.” He told the council meeting that other major municipalities such as Petawawa, Ontario, and Mission, B.C., have taken the same stance.

Scholten, Mayor Jim Palmer, and Councilor Adrian Couwenberg voted in favour of the three-flag policy. Stubbs and Councilor Shawn Gear were opposed.

The mayor said it was clear that residents supported banning non-government flags. “As the mayor, I have to support the people in my township. There are far, far more people on that side than on the other side,” Palmer said.