City of Lacombe
Council Policy
Flags
11.210.01 2017PO
Effective:
Upon approval
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Policy Number:
Rescinds:
Review Frequency:
Every 3 years upon approval
Responsible Department:
Community Services
Reference:
11.210.02.14 Armorial Bearings (Coat of Arms)
Purpose of the Policy
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To provide City staff with a policy to ensure flag display practices at City sites are consistent with
accepted guidelines and standards and align with Federal and Alberta protocols including halfmasting.
Policy Statement
Applicability
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All flags are important symbols of honour and pride and must be treated in a respectful and consistent
manner. The City of Lacombe will follow practices which are consistent with accepted guidelines and
standards, and align with Canadian Heritage and Alberta Protocol.
This Council policy governs the display, maintenance, and disposal of flags at Municipal Facilities
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This Policy takes precedence over all other flag policies, procedures and practices managed by the
City.
Non-Compliance
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Not following this policy will result in not aligning established City practice or etiquette with customs
the federal, provincial and local governments have observed for several years.
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Rules applied by the federal government are not mandatory for individuals or organizations but are
guidelines for persons who wish to display the Canadian flag and other flags in Canada.
Definitions & Abbreviations (as needed)
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Half Mast - Half-mast is defined as the center of the Flag exactly half-way down the mast
Municipal Facilities - Municipal facilities include: Lacombe City Hall both inside and outside,
Lacombe Public Works, Gary Moe Sportsplex, Lacombe Police Station, Lacombe Fire Hall,
Michener Park, the Lacombe Chamber of Commerce building and Lacombe Memorial Centre.
Rules for Half-Masting the National Flag – Are the rules established by the Government of
Canada for the flying of the National Flag at Half-mast as amended from time to time.
Responsibilities
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The responsibility for adherence to this policy lies with the Office of the Mayor, Community Services
and Parks/Facilities Staff.
Community Services:
• The Community Services Director is responsible for managing and administering this Council
policy (including aspects of daily control and coordination of the policy).
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Parks/Facilities:
• The Parks/Facilities Manager or delegate is responsible for maintaining, replacing and
disposing of and raising/lowering flags in use at Municipal facilities in accordance with
procedures outlined in Schedule “A”
• Ensuring flagpoles and equipment at Municipal facilities are in good operating conditions.
• Ensuring appropriate notification to Communications Department when a requestor is
planning a ceremony that includes a flag raising.
• Is responsible for consulting with Communications as required.
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_______ORIGINAL SIGNED_________
Mayor
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Approval Date
(MMMM/DD/YYYY)
_______ORIGINAL SIGNED_________
Chief Administrative Officer
_______________________________
Approval Date
(MMMM/DD/YYYY)
City of Lacombe
Council Policy
11.210.01 2017PO – Flags
Schedule A – Flag Flying Procedures
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Full Mast Requirements
1. The Canadian flag must always be flown at full mast on Victoria Day, Canada Day, or the day
the new Monarch is proclaimed (unless the flag is at half-mast for the death of the monarch,
the prime minister, or the Governor General). Mandatory half-masting is detailed below for
the Canadian flag.
2. Flags are to be flown by the following order of precedence: (Canada, Other national flag (visit
of Ambassador or high commissioner), flag of Alberta, other flag). When two flags occur, the
senior flag (Canada) is flown on the left with Alberta to the right. When three flags occur, the
senior flag (Canada) is in the centre with Alberta to the left and the Municipal flag to the right.
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Half Mast Requirements
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3. Council Policy for Armorial Bearings states the flag of the City of Lacombe must be flown on its
own pole for exterior display in the company of the Canadian and Provincial flags at Municipal
Facilities.
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4. Subject to clause 1, City protocol for the flying of flags at half-mast will follow the Rules for
Half-Masting the National Flag to such extent as they apply to federal facilities in Canada as a
whole, in the Province of Alberta as a whole, or within the City of Lacombe.
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5. As per the federal Rules for Half-Masting the National Flag, all flags at municipal facilities will
be flown at half-mast on the following days:
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April 28, Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace (Workers'
Mourning Day);
June 23, National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism;
Last Sunday in September, Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day,
unless Half-masting occurs near the place where a memorial is being observed,
then Half-masting can occur according to the prescribed order of service, until
sunset;
November 11, Remembrance Day, unless Half-masting occurs at the National War
Memorial or a place where remembrance is being observed, then Half-masting can
occur at 11:00 or according to the prescribed order of service, until sunset; and
December 6, National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against
Women.
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6. Flags will also be flown at half mast when the Province of Alberta through the Office of
Protocol or the Premier’s Office orders flags lowered to half-mast for provincial facilities in
Alberta or in Lacombe.
7. The Mayor reserves the right to direct staff that flags be half-masted for circumstances falling
outside these guidelines.
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8. Unless otherwise stated, flags are to be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on the stated
day.