Your garden variety Canadian has plenty of keep him or her awake at night these days, including such pressing issues as where the economy is heading and the future of health care. It was therefore curious when the federal government announced plans this week to protect the Canadian flag. It’s doubtful many Canadians felt it was under attack.
As a national symbol, the Maple Leaf is an inspiring one. Its clean look carries an image Canadians from coast to coast relate to, and it is easily identifiable and respected around the world.
Canadians love to fly our flag, or drape themselves in it during times of celebration, like on Canada Day or when one of our hockey teams wins an Olympic gold medal.
But it seems our grand icon can be an irritant when it comes to condo and townhouse owners and their occupants. Some condo boards have rules on what kind of displays or articles owners can put on the exterior of their homes. Apparently disputes occur when people disagree over whether a flag is a safety issue, for instance.
Heritage Minister James Moore this week announced he will back a private member’s bill that would settle all such future arguments. The bill would prohibit anyone from barring the display of the Maple Leaf. Case closed.
“Any Canadian who wishes to fly the Canadian flag should be able to do so, free from bullying, free from intimidation and to do so proudly as a Canadian from coast to coast to coast,” said Moore.
On the surface anything that supports and protects our flag sounds like a good thing, right? But on sober second thought Mr. Moore’s move seems a tad excessive and unnecessary, at least at this point in Canada’s history. In fact it smells a bit of enforced jingoism, something that doesn’t come natural to Canadians.
Canadians love their flag and their country. The federal government has a responsibility to see that the proper rules are followed in terms of protocol when the flag is flown, but passing a law that allows anyone, at anytime and place to fly the flag, regardless of safety issues, is over the top.
There are plenty of Canadian flags around for Mr. Moore to salute. But along with patriotism comes responsibility, even when it comes to flying the Maple Leaf. The federal government does not need to get involved in this dispute.
Good deeds rewarded
Christmas came early to the eastern P.E.I. town of Georgetown recently when a generous donation was bequeathed by a local family.
“It’s a very generous contribution to the town and we’re quite thrilled,’’ Mayor Lewis Lavandier said this week in announcing the late Virginia Breedon had willed a “generous contribution to the town.” He didn’t reveal a figure but an unofficial estimate places it around a quarter of a million dollars.
The Breedon family lived year-round just outside the town boundaries and the profits of their estate has been processed and donated to the town. The mayor said first responders from the Georgetown Fire Department were often summoned to assist the needs of a family member who was ill at the home for a number of years. It seems the kind actions of the first responders were not taken for granted.
The donation asks that the municipality focus funds on improvements to the scenic memorial gardens and to the fire department. The mayor said the council intends to hold a meeting in the next few weeks to discuss the gift and how to proceed.
The donation is further proof, if any was needed, that good deeds are usually rewarded. Congratulations to the Breedon family and the kind-hearted people of Georgetown.
