A small town that is flying the American flag in a prominent location will be taking it down. After the Monday night council meeting in Meaford, council directed staff to remove the flag that is currently flying from a municipal flagpole at Market Square. The decision comes at a time of trade tension between Canada and its neighbours down south. Having received numerous requests from community members to take down the flag, staff brought a report and recommendation to council that had reasoning including the current trade relationship between Canada and the U.S., impacts on Canadian businesses and feedback from residents. “The decision to remove the United States of America flag at this time is not a reflection of disrespect toward American people. It reflects Council’s concern with current trade actions by U.S. leadership and the impacts being felt by key local sectors, including agriculture and tourism,” says Meaford Mayor Ross Kentner. According to the town, staff will remove the flag and revisit flying it again within two years.
