The mayor of Estevan, a small city in Saskatchewan, is considering canceling flag raisings altogether in an effort to avoid ongoing conflicts over which flags should be displayed. This comes after a recent city council meeting that became heated when a group called Concerned Citizens SK requested that a straight pride flag be raised, following the city’s previous display of a pride flag.
Mayor Roy Ludwig believes that ceasing flag raisings could potentially prevent further disputes among different groups. The city of Yorkton in Saskatchewan made a similar decision several years ago to minimize tension and arguments over flag displays.
During the June 26 meeting, Myles Fichter, a spokesperson for Concerned Citizens SK, expressed disappointment over the denial of their request to fly the straight pride flag and criticized the city’s promotion of sexual diversity. The Concerned Citizens argued that exposing children to such promotions violated parents’ constitutional rights to raise and educate their own children.
However, council members stood firm in their decision. Councillor Rebecca Foord cited the city’s flag policy, which prohibits contentious, controversial, or divisive requests. Foord emphasized the increasing importance of acceptance and safety for individuals identifying as LGBTQ2S+.
Other councillors echoed Foord’s sentiment. Councillor Kirsten Walliser raised concerns about the divisive nature of the straight pride flag, while Councillor Lindsay Clark urged the Concerned Citizens to withdraw their application, stating that displaying a straight pride flag was unnecessary for their community.
Although Mayor Ludwig proposed changing the city’s flag policy during the meeting to only permit the national, provincial, municipal, and indigenous flags, there was little interest from other councillors. The proposal would require altering the city’s bylaw, and the mayor ultimately respected their decision.
The mayor believes that limiting the number of flags flown could help cities avoid becoming embroiled in conflicts between different groups with varying viewpoints. With numerous organizations requesting flag displays or proclamations, Mayor Ludwig suggests focusing on a subset of representative flags.
However, it seems that Estevan’s flag-raising policies will remain unchanged for now. The city will continue to display the national, provincial, municipal, and indigenous flags, while potentially avoiding potential disputes by refraining from raising flags for specific groups or causes.
It is essential for municipalities to strike the right balance when it comes to flag displays, as these can become sources of contention and division within communities. While some groups may advocate for their flags to be raised, it is crucial for councils to abide by their policies and consider the potential impact on community harmony.
In the end, flag raisings should not overshadow the primary goal of fostering inclusivity and acceptance for all residents, regardless of their sexual orientation or identity. The debate over flag displays in Estevan serves as a reminder that ensuring inclusivity remains a continuous effort for communities to create safe and welcoming spaces for everyone.
