An Ontario township has determined to take away all completely affixed American flags from its buildings amid rising tensions with the US.
West Lincoln council voted unanimously Monday night time to take down the flags after it was recommended by the town’s corporate services committee final week. Council additionally permitted all unrelated suggestions the committee made in its vote, with out debate.
Through the committee assembly, Coun. William Reilly questioned why the U.S. flag stays up year-round on the West Lincoln neighborhood centre, whereas Ontario’s provincial flag is absent.
“We have now an American flag that appears to be mounted in our neighborhood centre and we don’t even have an Ontario provincial flag that’s up even in the future a 12 months,” Reilly mentioned.
“I really feel disrespected by our American neighbours. It type of strikes a nerve that right here we’re in our nation, in our facility, proudly displaying their flag.”
Whereas all members of the township, situated lower than an hour’s drive from the U.S. border, agreed that they don’t wish to ban the flag, the bulk agreed it ought to solely be displayed when an American group is visiting.
Coun. Jason Trombetta, who supported the movement, cited considerations about vandalism on the different buildings as one other issue within the elimination of the flag.
“If this [the flag] goes to probably trigger a disruption or a security challenge — as a result of we’ve had harm on the neighborhood centre — then in the intervening time, I’ll help that,” he mentioned.
Reilly, nevertheless, stood by his place that the difficulty is about respect.
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“I’ve no drawback with their flag being raised when their group is enjoying right here, however exterior of that, the flag must be pulled down and saved away. I don’t suppose it has earned the best to stay in our facility 12 months a 12 months,” he mentioned.
Monday’s vote comes as cross-border tensions proceed with U.S. President Donald Trump, who mentioned Monday that his plan to impose sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico on March 4 remains to be occurring.
“We’re on time with the tariffs, and that’s transferring alongside very quickly,” Trump instructed reporters on the White Home on Monday.
“We’re being mistreated by many nations, not simply Canada and Mexico.”
–with recordsdata from Sean Previl
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