A new policy approval by the council of the Region of Queens Municipality provides guidelines and protocols for flag flying on municipally owned flagpoles.
At the regular council meeting Oct. 24, council approved an operational policy on flag flying that outlines protocol for the appropriate manner for flying and displaying flags on municipally-owned flagpoles; the protocol and location for flying non-profit organizations’ flags; and the protocol for flying flags at half mast.
“In developing and approving a policy on flag flying, council has established reasonable parameters for flying flags requested by organizations as well as guidelines as to when it is appropriate to fly flags at half mast in the Region of Queens,” said David Dagley, mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality.
Council has approved a policy that includes an opportunity for non-profit organizations to fly their flags, or to devote occasions of significance in the community, using a special purpose flagpole owned by the region next to the VIC and bridge on the Liverpool waterfront. Flags will be flown for two weeks at a time.
Among those that will be flown in two-week increments are the Pan African flag for African Heritage Month in February; National Volunteer Week flag in April; Pride flag in June; Mi’kmaq Nation flag for National Aboriginal Day in June and for Mi’kmaq History Month in October; and the veterans’ flag during Veterans Week in November.
Non-profit organizations may submit completed applications one month before the date they would like their flags flown for consideration.
The policy also outlines when flags will fly at half mast at the Region of Queens administration building and Queens Place Emera Centre, including observing the death of specific heads of state, such as current or former mayors, wardens or councillors of the Region of Queens Municipality; the former Town of Liverpool; and the former Municipality of Queens, along with other dates of national or international importance, following the provincial example.
The new policy went into effect immediately.
Did you know?
Flags will be flown at half-mast on several days:
Nov. 11 in respect of Remembrance Day
April 28 in respect of the Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace
Dec. 6 in respect of National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
To see the policy and application for usage of the special purpose flagpole, visit the Region of Queens website at http://www.regionofqueens.com/council-governance/policies-overview/operational-policies. People can also contact the Region of Queens Municipality for a copy by calling 902-354-3453 or going to the administration building at 249 White Point Rd.
