Mississauga bans international banners from city hall, giving away free Canadian flags

The City of Mississauga has followed in Toronto’s footsteps by ending the practice of raising international flags at city hall to celebrate various holidays across the globe.

Previously, national flags for other countries could be hoisted on the flagpole in Mississauga, Ont., to celebrate heritage months and independence days.

The practice has now been ended, Mayor Carolyn Parrish said, with only charities and associations allowed to use the flagpole. That, according to the mayor, is what it was “originally intended” for.

“Our citizens come from all over the world, leaving conflicts to become Canadians,” Parrish wrote in a social media post after council approved the plan.

She said all new Canadians with proof of address in Mississauga could collect a full-sized Canadian flag from city hall for free.

Toronto city council also recently banned the raising of national flags for other countries.