The City of Hamilton will no longer fly foreign flags at City Hall. City Council’s Governance Committee is unanimously recommending the practice end on September 1, 2026.
The Committee deliberated for nearly an hour during a closed session meeting this morning (June 12, 2026). Councillors chose to conduct the debate behind closed doors. The committee cited a desire to receive legal advice and the potential for a Charter of Rights and Freedoms legal challenge against the new policy as an unreasonable infringement of expression right.
In a staff report, signed off by Director of Communications and Engagement Heather Anderson, “evolving geopolitical issues and their local impacts” are cited as one of the reasons for the change.
“These situations can create challenges in maintaining a neutral civic environment where all residents feel safe, respected and included,” the report reads.
Today’s legal report, and closed session debate, requested by the Governance Committee at its October 27, 2023 meeting when the potential for a new flag policy was discussed. Councillors stated a preference to establish a comprehensive framework governing flag raisings and the illumination colours for the City Hall forecourt HAMILTON sign.
There are 12 flagpoles attached to the Council Chambers structure at the front of Hamilton City Hall. Three of these poles are presently available for “courtesy” flag raisings to mark days of significance for foreign countries, nationally designated days, community organizations and events, and for the display of other flags at the direction of the Mayor or City Council.
The most significant change in the new policy is a prohibition on the display of a “past or present flag of any foreign nation.” This change was not publicly discussed prior to its implementation.
The City of Hamilton has traditionally permitted the display of the flags of foreign nations that are recognized by Global Affairs Canada.
The change comes less than a year following Canada officially recognizing the State of Palestine on September 21, 2025.
Following this official recognition, Hamilton’s Palestinian community and their supporters petitioned the City of Hamilton to fly the flag of Palestine. It was raised in front of City Hall for the first time on March 30, 2026.
The change also means the flag of Ukraine will come down from the front of City Hall, where it has flown for more than four years as an expression of solidarity following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war there.
The following councillors voted in favour of the policy following the closed session debate: Maureen Wilson (Ward 1), Cameron Kroetsch (Ward 2), Nrinder Nann (Ward 3), Tammy Hwang (Ward 4), and Brad Clark (Ward 9).
There was no public debate regarding the foreign flag change.
The new protocol is subject to full Council ratification. The recommendation will first go to the June 17 Council General Issues Committee meeting, and then to the City Council ratification meeting on June 24.
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Published: June 12, 2026
Last updated: June 12, 2026
Author: Joey Coleman
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