The mayor of Canada’s largest metropolis and financial capital says she helps eradicating American flags “wherever doable.”
The workplace of Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow informed World Information in a press release Wednesday that Chow is OK with the measure, which some municipalities in Ontario are beginning to undertake.
“We’re proudly Canadian and can by no means be the 51st state,” her workplace mentioned.
“Mayor Chow helps eradicating U.S. flags wherever doable throughout this mindless commerce struggle.”
Chow’s feedback come amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s continued threats to annex Canada and make it America’s 51st state. The White Home can be within the midst of a bitter commerce and tariff dispute with its neighbour.
These threats have seen the U.S. anthem booed at sporting occasions throughout the nation, together with through the 4 Nations faceoff match between america and Canada in Montreal.
It has additionally led the Ontario authorities to ban American firms from bidding on public contracts and British Columbia to exclude Tesla — run by Trump’s advisor Elon Musk — from public rebate programs.
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Toronto has adopted go well with with related measures, announcing a plan Monday with 10 motion objects the town can be introducing.
The mayor’s workplace didn’t specify additional concerning the place flags might be eliminated, however some municipalities which have already achieved so have centered on city-run properties.
West Lincoln, a township with the Niagara area, was the primary municipality to make headlines on the matter when its council voted last month to take away all completely affixed American flags from its buildings.
Coun. William Reilly first introduced up the difficulty at a committee meeting, questioning why the U.S. flag was up year-round on the West Lincoln neighborhood centre, whereas Ontario’s provincial flag was absent.
“We’ve an American flag that appears to be fastened in our neighborhood centre and we don’t even have an Ontario provincial flag that’s up even in the future a yr,” Reilly mentioned at that assembly final month.
“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.”
West Lincoln’s resolution picked up steam, with the Metropolis of Barrie following go well with. However the measure reached new highs over the weekend when certainly one of Canada’s main cities mentioned it will be following of their footsteps.
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish introduced the town would be lowering U.S. flags from city-run lands and facilities. As a substitute, big Canadian flags could be raised, and Parrish added the request to take action had come from many individuals.
The Metropolis of Barrie eliminated American flags from its services just lately, while West Lincoln Township has done the same.
Nonetheless, not all cities are on the identical web page.
Ottawa, the nation’s capital, doesn’t have U.S. flags flying at its services, a metropolis spokesperson informed World Information.
Sault Ste. Marie, a border metropolis, has no plans to ditch U.S. flags “at this level,” a spokesperson mentioned.
“We’re working to assist the Authorities of Canada and Authorities of Ontario’s response to tariffs. We stay dedicated to partaking with our American counterparts, encouraging them to advocate towards tariffs to the U.S. federal administration, and emphasizing their financial hurt to each the American and Canadian economies,” they informed World Information in an electronic mail.
“We are going to proceed to observe the ever-evolving state of affairs and reassess as wanted.”
— with recordsdata from Kevin Nielsen and Isaac Callan
© 2025 World Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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