INNISFAIL – Town council has finally approved a flag policy for the community but not before asking administration to delete a clause dealing with flag raising applications that are deemed controversial or divisive.
The proposed Flag Policy was brought before council by Erica Vickers, the town’s director of corporate services, at its regular meeting on Jan. 24.
Coun. Don Harrison asked administration last November to look at information around a policy. Last year the town approved requests to have a flag raised to support a local Pride Day event in June, and another in the fall for the Métis Nation of Alberta.
Vickers proposed Flag Policy was brought forward to ensure all flags at Town of Innisfail sites are displayed with consistent practices and with accepted guidelines and standards that align with Heritage Canada and the Government of Alberta.
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Her proposed policy included guidelines for displaying and raising flags, as well as for flying flags at half-mast in recognition of a significant death and solemn occasions.
However, the 6A clause in the flag raising section immediately caught the attention of Coun. Cindy Messaros. She wanted more clarity on the clause, which read, “the town may not normally fly flags which may be considered controversial or divisive.”
Vickers noted the policy does give the CAO decision-making authority, or can be brought to council to make a ruling on a potentially problematic flag.
“There are certain organizations that would be considered terrorist organizations and even if they requested we flew their flag for them it would be a no, simply based on that,” said Vickers. “If it was something where CAO (Todd) Becker thought it maybe could wiffle-waffle or it could be bad but maybe its OK, he would likely bring it to council for further direction.”
Messaros said her concern was that a future council may interpret the clause differently, and clarity was paramount to establish a clear way forward.
Coun. Dale Dunham said he did not want the decision-making process on controversial or divisive flags “downloaded” onto the CAO, and preferred it be the domain of council.
“Why allow it to land on your shoulders? We are here,” said Dunham, adding it would be worth looking into federal and provincial guidelines on what organizations are considered controversial and divisive.
Mayor Jean Barclay then suggested moving 6A out of the policy because “divisive” was very subjective.
“What’s divisive for some may not be divisive for others and it opens up potential for controversy,” said Barclay, who later noted that council recently received a letter that said the Pride event was “divisive.
Barclay said the following day no one on council agreed the event was divisive.
She suggested that on Jan. 24 that 6A could either be deleted, changed or merged with another clause.
Dunham added clause 6B already “encompassed” what was being discussed.
“The town will not fly a flag of an organization whose undertaking or philosophy espouse violence, hatred or racism or are contrary to town bylaws or policies,” read Dunham of the 6B clause to his council members. “I am very comfortable with (6) b. Any organization or group is fairly easy to figure out what their mandate is or what they stand for, and if it qualifies under (6) b.”
Council then agreed to unanimously pass the Flag Policy, with 6A removed.
Vickers said the approved policy is effective immediately.
