Overview
- City officials say the flag-raising was handled administratively under a 1999 policy that lets staff approve national flags on the courtesy pole.
- The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians requested the event to mark Palestinian Independence Day, which falls on Nov. 15.
- The scheduling follows Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement that Canada now recognizes the State of Palestine, confirmed to the city by Global Affairs Canada.
- B’nai Brith Canada has urged the city to cancel, citing municipal rules against promoting hatred or violence and referencing historical concerns tied to the PLO.
- The city says flying a flag is not a political endorsement, and Mayor Olivia Chow will not attend in keeping with her general practice for national flag-raisings.