Dryden flag policy to remain unchanged
Dryden City Council has rejected a request to revise its flag policy.
Councillor Ritch Noel wanted the policy to reflect that the city would only fly government flags at its municipal building.
He says the city should not be endorsing anything other than the values they were put in place to do.
“When we have any special interest group come before us and request to put their flag on City Hall property, the appearance, although the intent may not be, but the appearance is that the City somewhat either endorses or may not endorse it,” says Noel.
“There’s a message that takes away from what we’re there for, and that’s to represent all citizens in this country.”
Noel says his decision to bring the issue to council was not targeted at any one group, and that his request provided a level playing field.
“It eliminates any potential for any group or individual to complain about not being recognized or, on the flip side, to being recognized.”
“And if some of those special interest groups wish to erect a flag on their own private property, they can put the flag up pursuant to whatever bylaw that might be for flagpoles in this city.”
Councillor Michelle Price says while it may sound like a neutral policy, it takes away from what is very important to the community.
“Our ability to publicly recognize and support people, organizations, and causes that make driving stronger and more compassionate,” says Price.
“When we raise a flag, it’s not about politics. It’s about people. It’s about saying when you see, we see you, we value you, and we care about the work.”
Councillor Catherine Kiewning says restricting the city to flying only certain government flags only caters to people who do not want to see certain flags fly in the community.
“I think that this is something worth fighting for. I think that it brings a lot of joy and is very meaningful to the folks who get to see their flags fly on our municipal flagpole,” says Kiewning.
“I think that if it were to pass as it is, I think it would optically look very, very poor and reflect very badly on our city’s reputation.”
Councillor Martin McKinnon agrees.
“I know for years we’ve had a tinted reputation as Dryden as being not a welcoming community,” says McKinnon.
I would hope that part of stamping out that negativity that people look at Dryden about would be that we are open to all people. Anyone who wants to raise a flag should have the ability to raise a flag.”
Mayor Jack Harrison says there is importance to celebrating different cultures, and a flag provides an opportunity to rally around that.
“I don’t think it’s divisive to celebrate individual cultures, allow them to do that in our community,” says Harrison.
“We are a diverse culture, and I think we can celebrate that. If you’re not in favour of one of the flagraisers, then I’d say don’t attend.”
