The fate of the American flag at Meaford’s Market Square will be up for debate Monday. A Sept. 14 staff report recommends removing the flag in response to resident requests and increasingly strained relations between Canada and the United States. “Staff are recommending that, based on the current state of the trade relationship with between Canada and of the United States of America, related impacts on Canadian businesses and on feedback received from residents, consideration of the continued flying of the flag of the United States of America be at councils discretion with the benefit of further deliberations,” the report reads. Staff say the issue is being brought forward after the municipality received several requests to remove the flag from municipal property. Meaford’s flag policy, adopted in June 2018, allows the U.S. flag to be flown on municipal land but does not require it. As a result, council would not need to amend the policy if it chooses to stop flying it. The report says the proposed change highlights growing concerns over current U.S. leadership and economic measures affecting Canada. “The potential discontinuation of the flying of the United States of America’s flag on flagpoles on municipal lands is not a reflection or disrespect of American people, however, should be viewed as strong opposition in the actions being imposed by the leadership of the United States of America,” the report states. Staff also point to the negative effects of U.S. trade actions on the town’s agricultural, tourism, recreation and cultural sectors as a contributing factor. Council will consider the recommendation Monday and provide direction to staff on next steps.
