Toronto Will Fly Palestinian Flag Nov. 17 Under Staff Policy, With Calgary to Follow Nov. 30

City staff, not the mayor or council, authorized the courtesy flag-raisings under existing municipal protocols.

Overview

Toronto approved an International Centre of Justice for Palestinians request to raise the flag at City Hall on Nov. 17 to mark Palestine’s Independence Day.
The city emphasized that use of the courtesy flagpole does not signal endorsement of any nation’s politics or policies.
Calgary scheduled a Nov. 30 flag-raising for the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People under rules that allow flags of nations recognized by the federal government and bar those deemed controversial or divisive.
Organizers and ICJP figures described the events as symbolic acts of visibility and resilience for Palestinians and as a response to anti-Palestinian racism.
Jewish organizations criticized related rhetoric and flagged community safety concerns, citing reported increases in antisemitic hate crimes in Toronto and across Canada.