Ontario briefly considered flag-burning law — then abandoned it after internal pushback
Global News
The proposal was scheduled to be discussed at Ford's cabinet on May 21, Ontario's Flag Day, but was pulled from ministers' briefing materials shortly before cabinet convened.
A planned law that would’ve mandated the flying of the Ontario flag at all provincial buildings and banned the desecration of the Canadian flag has been scuttled by the Ford government, Global News has learned, after members of the Progressive Conservative caucus questioned the necessity of the bill.
Multiple sources told Global News the proposal, spearheaded as part of a patriotism push by Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism Graham McGregor, would have potentially violated the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and may have faced court challenges.
The proposal was scheduled to be discussed at Ford’s cabinet on May 21 – Ontario’s Flag Day – but was pulled from ministers’ briefing materials shortly before cabinet convened.
In a brief interview with Global News, McGregor confirmed that his ministry “won’t be tabling any legislation this spring session” but said the intent behind the measure was to “promote unity” in the province and country.
“We live in the best province, the best country in the world, so we’re looking at options,” McGregor said. “But as far as internal deliberations, caucus, cabinet, etc., I just don’t have a comment to share.”
Sources told Global News the law would have made it mandatory to fly both the Ontario and Canadian flags at all government of Ontario buildings, in effect creating the need for a secondary flagpole to accommodate the provincial banner.
The proposal wouldn’t have applied to schools, hospitals or facilities only funded by the Ontario government.
While some sources said the law would have also included language that would allow for other flags, such as the Pride flag, to be flown, others in government expressed concern that mandating the Ontario and Canadian flags would have effectively prevented other flags from being recognized.
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