American Flag to remain in New Westminster arena for now

Two New Westminster councillors were hoping to remove the American flag from Queen’s Park Arena, but the proposal was rejected Monday night.

Councillors Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas asked council to discuss a motion that would see the flag removed from inside the arena. Mayor Patrick Johnstone and two other councillors said the matter was not urgent.

Fontaine said many residents asked him what the city was going to do about the flag as tension between the two countries grow.

He added that removing the flag would be symbolic and would send a message in a very Canadian way.