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Administrative Procedure 198: Flags

Legal References

Ontario Education Regulation 298: Section 5 Flag; National Flag of Canada Manufacturing Standards Act, Ontario Human Rights Commission, http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/ontario-human-rights-code

Related References

Government of Canada: National Flag of Canada Etiquette (Rules for flying the National Flag of Canada in Canada)

1. Purpose

1.1 This administrative procedure is intended to provide guidelines on the protocol involved in the displaying of flags.

1.2 It is a requirement of Ontario Regulation 298, Section 5 that:
    1. Every school shall fly both the National Flag of Canada and the Provincial Flag of Ontario on such occasions as the board directs.
    2. Every school shall display in the school the National Flag of Canada and the Provincial Flag of Ontario.

2. Dignity of the National Flag

2.1 The National Flag of Canada should be displayed only in a manner befitting the national emblem; it should not be subjected to indignity or displayed in a position inferior to any other flag or ensign. The National Flag of Canada always takes precedence over all other national flags when flown in Canada. The National Flag of Canada should always be flown aloft and free.

2.2 When the National Flag of Canada is raised or lowered, or when it is carried past in a parade or review, all present should face the flag, all hats should be removed (except when a person is wearing head wear for religious or medicinal reasons) and all should remain silent.

2.3 It is considered offensive to “drag” a flag on the ground or let it fall to the ground while raising or lowering the national or provincial emblem.

2.4 The National Flag of Canada should not be written on or marked in any way, nor be covered by other objects. Nothing should be pinned or sewn on the National Flag of Canada.

2.5 The National Flag of Canada should never be dipped or lowered to the ground as a means of paying a salute of compliment to any person or thing.

3. Displaying Flags

3.1 When describing the details of a flag, it is assumed that the flag is flying from a flagpole with the flag flying towards the right as seen by the observer. The National Flag of Canada may be displayed in the following manner:
      • flat against a surface, horizontally and vertically;
      • on a flagpole or mast;
      • on a flag rope (halyard);
      • suspended vertically in the middle of a street;
      • projected from a building;
      • affixed on a motor vehicle;
      • sharing the same base; and
      • used to cover a casket at funerals.

3.2 The dimensions of the National Flag of Canada have an exact ratio of 2 to 1 (twice as long as it is wide) and must not be modified. No Crown corporation, department, board, agency or office of the Government of Canada shall purchase or use a national flag that has not been manufactured in compliance with the applicable standards by the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB). These standards apply to the design, colour, material and performance requirements for their intended use as specified in the National Flag of Canada Manufacturing Standards Act. All flags manufactured in compliance with the standards shall bear a mark identifying that the flag has met the standards for manufacture established by the CGSB.

3.3 The National Flag of Canada can be flown at night without being lit.

3.4 The National Flag of Canada should always fly alone on its own flagpole or mast, when more than one flagpole is available.

3.5 When multiple flagpoles are available:

3.5.1 If other flags are flown on separate poles, they must be no larger than the National Flag of Canada on the same building or property.
3.5.2 When facing the building from the front, the National Flag of Canada shall be on the LEFT and the second flag to the RIGHT.
3.5.3 If three flags are flown separately, the position when facing the building shall be as follows: Provincial Flag – Left, National Flag of Canada – Centre,
Other Flag - Right
3.5.4 Flags in foyers or other prominent positions within the building shall observe the following:
          • 1 Flag - Canadian only
          • 2 Flags - Canadian left, Provincial right. It is important to note that the provincial flag may NOT be substituted with a logo or other flag.
          • 3 Flags - Provincial left, Canadian center, Logo right

3.6 When a single flagpole is available:

3.6.1 If other flags are flown on the same pole, the National Flag of Canada must always be at the top of the flagpole.
3.6.2 Other flags must be no larger than the National Flag of Canada on the same flagpole.
3.6.3 Second flags must be approved by the Senior Leadership of Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) and must be only flown for specified time frames. Examples of such approved flags include the Provincial Flag of Ontario, local Municipal flags, the PRIDE flag and Indigenous Community flags.
3.6.4 Second flags must only be flown using the approved adaptor, known as an extender, as provided by the Procurement Department of AMDSB.

4. Half-Mast for Mourning

4.1 The National Flag of Canada is flown at the half-mast position as a demonstration of sorrow.

4.2 The flag is brought to the half-mast position by first raising it to the top of the mast then immediately lowering it slowly to the half-mast position.

4.3 The position of the flag when flying at half-mast will depend on the size of the flag and the length of the flagpole. It must be lowered at least to a position recognizably “half-mast” to avoid the appearance of a flag, which has accidentally fallen away from the top of the mast owing to a loose flag rope. A satisfactory position for half-mast is to place the center of the flag halfway down the flagpole.

4.4 Schools may fly flags at half-mast in the event of the death of a:
        • staff member;
        • student;
        • parent of a student; or
        • a member of the senior administrative staff.

4.5 The administrative office may fly flags at half-mast in the event of the death of a:
        • current employee; or
        • a Trustee.

4.6 The Director of Education or designate may direct the system to fly flags at half-mast in the event of a national or international disaster or death of a prominent individual.

4.7 Mourning may be taken to include the day of the death and up to and including the day of the funeral.

4.8 On the Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace (April 28th) and on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (December 6th), schools and the administrative office may fly the flag at half-mast from sunrise to sunset.

5. Disposal of Flags

5.1 When a flag becomes tattered and is no longer in a suitable condition for use, it should be destroyed in a dignified way. Disposal by discreet burning is recommended. A flag should not be placed in regular garbage.
 
Amendment May 2021