INNISFAIL – Five weeks after passing the community’s first Flag Policy, town council approved a motion to fly the Ukrainian flag as a demonstration of solidarity for the country’s besieged citizens in its devastating war against Russia.
The decision was made at council’s Feb. 28 regular meeting immediately following a motion by Coun. Cindy Messaros to have the Ukrainian flag raised outside the town's administration building.
“As a town I’d like us to help bring awareness of the horrifying and unprovoked attack by Russia on Ukraine, and to show support for the citizens of Ukraine and the Ukrainian communities in Alberta and Canada,” said Messaros, adding there were heartbreaking stories she read about in the early days on the raging war.
“Parents in Ukraine are preparing for the worst by sending their children to school wearing stickers identifying their blood type.
“Therefore I would like to make a motion that the Town of Innisfail raise the flag of Ukraine to honour the courage and bravery of all of its citizens, and demonstrating our support.”
Following her motion, which was passed unanimously by council, Mayor Jean Barclay said council would “certainly” support it “100 per cent.
“We are all horrified by what is transpiring in the Ukraine. Alberta has the largest Ukrainian community in Canada, and Canada has the largest Ukrainian community outside of Ukraine and Russian I believe,” said Barclay.
“We know we have community members. It’s just a very perilous time for the world right now, so I think it’s a great gesture to see Innisfail doing that.”
Messaros later told the Albertan her intent with the motion was to demonstrate solidarity with Ukrainians, and to show Innisfailians what type of council that is now in place. She said it was also a chance to test the town’s new flag policy.
“It’s a good opportunity to see whether the motion and policy is in alignment,” she said.
On Jan. 24, town council approved a new Flag Policy for the town 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.
During discussion on the proposed Flag Policy, Messaros wanted more clarity on a clause that read, “the town may not normally fly flags which may be considered controversial or divisive.” She said her concern was that a future council may interpret the clause differently, and clarity was paramount to establish a clear way forward.
Council agreed to remove the clause as another already covered its subject matter but in a different and more appropriate way.
“I think after the policy (passed) it was the right thing to do moving forward,” said Coun. Jason Heistad. “But as citizens and as a country, and what’s going on in the Ukraine and currently with Russia, it’s more than just a policy. It’s actually about standing up for people, their rights and their freedoms as a country.
“And we’ve been talking about freedoms a lot in the last few months in our country. I see this situation in the Ukraine speaks volumes for individuals that want their rights and freedoms. This is us doing what’s right.”
Council was told the flag would arrive from an Edmonton supplier by the end of the week.
Members of council also agreed to have the Ukrainian flag displayed in front of the Administration building until the issue comes back for discussion at a “later” time.
