{"id":17892,"date":"2025-02-22T09:32:55","date_gmt":"2025-02-22T09:32:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/02\/22\/i-feel-disrespected-ontario-town-considers-removing-u-s-flags-from-its-buildings\/"},"modified":"2025-02-22T09:32:55","modified_gmt":"2025-02-22T09:32:55","slug":"i-feel-disrespected-ontario-town-considers-removing-u-s-flags-from-its-buildings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/torontotribune.ca\/index.php\/2025\/02\/22\/i-feel-disrespected-ontario-town-considers-removing-u-s-flags-from-its-buildings\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018I feel disrespected\u2019: Ontario town considers removing U.S. flags from its buildings"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A township in Ontario is moving to remove permanently affixed American flags from municipal facilities, citing growing tensions with the U.S. over trade and political relations.<\/p>\n

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A West Lincoln council committee voted 4-3 on Tuesday directing staff to take down the flags, though the decision still requires final approval from the township council.<\/p>\n

During the meeting, Coun. William Reilly questioned why the American flag remains up year-round at the West Lincoln community centre, while Ontario\u2019s provincial flag is absent.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have an American flag that seems to be fixed in our community centre and we don\u2019t even have an Ontario provincial flag that\u2019s up even one day a year,\u201d Reilly said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel disrespected by our American neighbours. It kind of strikes a nerve that here we are in our country, in our facility, proudly displaying their flag.\u201d<\/p>\n

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While all members of the township agreed that they do not want to ban the flag, the majority agreed it should only be displayed when an American team is visiting.<\/p>\n

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Coun. Jason Trombetta, who supported the motion, cited concerns about vandalism at the other buildings as another factor in the removal of the flag.<\/p>\n

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\u201cIf this (the flag) is going to possibly cause a disruption or a safety issue, because we\u2019ve had damage at the community centre, then for the time being, I will support that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Reilly, however, stood by his position that the issue is about respect.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have no problem with their flag being raised when their team is playing here, but outside of that, the flag should be pulled down and stored away. I don\u2019t think it has earned the right to remain in our facility 365 days a year,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n