City councillors will meet on Wednesday to decide whether to restrict which flags can be raised in front of Regina City Hall, following months of debate over national symbols and international conflicts.
A new report from city administration recommends that only the flags of Canada, Saskatchewan, the City of Regina, Treaty 4, the Métis Nation, and the Union Jack be permitted.
An exception would allow the flags of visiting dignitaries or diplomats.
Flags representing events, non-profit organizations, and local charities would still be permitted.
If approved, this change would prevent the raising of flags from other countries, unless specific diplomatic visits are taking place in Regina.
It marks a departure from past practice, when the city granted a request to raise Israel’s flag last spring in honour of that country’s Independence Day.
The move caused concern among some residents because of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The roots of this policy review can be traced to a motion introduced in June by Councillor Shanon Zachidniak (Ward 8) and former Councillor Cheryl Stadnichuk (Ward 1).
They wanted to ban the flags of countries investigated for genocide, viewed as a thinly veiled attack on Israel.
After the Israel flag-raising, some Hamas-supporting constituents questioned why Regina would agree to honour a nation facing allegations of serious human-rights violations.
City clerk Jim Nicol’s office was directed to deliver a report on the flag protocol issue.
The document, presented last fall, was delayed multiple times as council dealt with other priorities leading up to the November 13 municipal election.
Nicol said in November that he aimed to strike a balanced approach, given Regina’s multicultural makeup.
While council delayed reviewing and voting on the document, an attempt last fall to fly the Palestinian flag on the anniversary of the Palestinian Declaration of Independence was initially approved but later overruled by then-mayor Sandra Masters.
Organizers, who had planned a ceremony to show solidarity for Palestine, said the cancellation undermined fairness.
They noted Regina had allowed the Israeli flag to be raised earlier in the year, despite similar concerns about human-rights violations.
A rally outside City Hall soon followed, and organizers launched a petition calling on the city to reinstate the Palestinian flag-raising.
Masters defended her decision on social media, though she did not provide additional details on what influenced her choice.
Wednesday’s council meeting will be the first time this newly elected council reviews the recommendations on flag-raising protocols.
If passed, the updated rules would take effect immediately.
