‘Not focusing on global politics’: Regina’s new flag policy will not allow flags from other nations

WATCH: On Wednesday, Regina City Council approved a new flag and proclamation policy, a topic that was tabled by the previous council.

Regina city council unanimously approved changes to the city’s flag and proclamation protocol on Wednesday that bans flying flags from other countries on the ceremonial flagpole in front of city hall.

From now on, only the flags of Canada, Saskatchewan, the City of Regina, the Union Jack, Treaty 4 and Metis Nation will be flown on the ceremonial flagpole.

Non-profits and local charitable organizations will still be allowed to fly their flags as well, as long as they do not belong to any countries.

Flags belonging to Regina’s sister cities will also be allowed on the pole.

“For us really it was around focusing on the city of Regina and not focusing on global politics,” Mayor Chad Bachynski told CTV Morning Live on Thursday.

The now approved item was pushed onto the new city council from the last iteration prior to last November’s civic election.

The topic of what flags should and should not be allowed on the ceremonial flagpole first came to light last year when former Mayor Sandra Masters issued a last-minute stop to a Palestinian flag raising at city hall after the policy changes had already been brought forward before council.

• Palestine flag raising cancellation prompts city hall demonstration in Regina

In the spring of 2024, an approval was granted to fly Israel’s flag for the nation’s Independence Day, which was allowed under the old policy.

As part of the new policy the City will also discontinue issuing a proclamation commemorating any country’s national day or day of independence.

“Conversation around city council [was that] we have councillors that are looking at other options to celebrate communities within the city,” Bachynski said.

The previous council tabled potential changes last September, which included the possibility of barring all nation and state flag raisings with limited exceptions.

City Clerk Jim Nicol expressed last year that the new council would likely be the ones to decide what if any changes would come to the flag and proclamation protocol.

“The only guarantee in that I can’t make anyone happy right now on this, it’s tough,” he said, prior to the sudden cancellation of the Palestinian flag raising.