New flag policies excludes many flags previously flown

It turns out this week could be the only time the pride flag flies at City Hall after Abbotsford Council approved a new policy on Monday.

The new policy states that the city can fly the municipal, provincial, and federal flag.

Certain other flags can be approved by the mayor or city manager including the United Nations, official sister cities, other countries if a representative is visiting, or any flags required by contractual obligation such as BC summer games.

Mayor Henry Braun says the policy was necessary to give guidance.

“We were being consistant in our inconsistancy in previous years because we would allow some flags, and I’ve said all along that I could not see precluding anybody’s flag being flown given that we didn’t have a policy. Now we have a policy. Unfortunately some of the flags that have been previously flown won’t be flown. They may have to erect their own flagpole and I’m happy to raise those flags for people if requested to do so.”

This means that the City will, in future, not be able to give the ok to the pride flag, hospice flags, or any other organization not covered by the policy.