Manitoba investigating after school division instructed to remove Pride flags from same poles as Canadian flags
The Manitoba government is investigating after a school division was told to remove Pride flags from the same flagpoles as Canadian flags.
According to Brian O’Leary, superintendent of the Seven Oaks School Division, the division received the instructions from Manitoba Education on Monday,
O’Leary said they were told it was out of step with Heritage Canada’s flag protocols, adding that the directive resulted from a complaint to the education minister.
O’Leary said the school division made further inquiries and learned the protocol does not have the force of law or regulation, noting that this means the school division can continue its practice of flying the Pride flag underneath the Canadian flag during Pride Month.
“We will endeavour to respect the protocol where practical and will review situations and make improvements on a site-by-site basis for next year,” he said.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the minister of education said there was no directive from the minister or ministry banning the flying of Pride flags.
“The ministry fully supports the LGBTQ+ visibility community, the celebration of Pride Month and the flying of the flag,” the statement said.
“The manner in which flags may be displayed in Canada is not governed by any legislation, but by established practice.”
The province noted that it recommends that schools follow the federal government’s flag etiquette rules and guidelines whenever possible.
The provincial spokesperson added that the province is investigating how this situation happened.
In a statement, Bernadette Smith, the NDP MLA for Point Douglas and critic for mental health and addictions, said that every child deserves to feel welcomed at school and that parents, educators, and community members work hard to ensure schools are inclusive and safe.
“The PCs are putting that at risk with explicit directives to schools to not fly a Pride flag during Pride Month--that's unacceptable,” Smith said.
“This is exactly the kind of cabinet control the PC's Bill 64 espouses, one that hurts kids and makes schools less safe."
O’Leary said schools in the division have been flying the Pride flag on the same pole as the Canadian flag during Pride Month for at least a decade.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.