When displaying the Canadian flag, such display should be undertaken with respect.
The flag should be intact, relatively clean, and flying from a pole. It should not be affixed to the outside of a structure where it cannot fly unhindered.
Which brings me to my local chapter of Edward Jones Investments here in Renfrew, where a Canadian flag was draped outside a window and allowed to “hang” against the brick of the office structure. It’s often obscured anyways by the parking of a camo-version Dodge Ram pickup in front of the business, something I assume belongs to somebody important who feels they’re above parking their vehicle at the side of the building so as to not obstruct the frontal view of the recently renovated storefront.
Is this flag an attempt at patriotism? If so, the wrong message is being sent. You’re saying, intentionally or not, that you don’t respect the flag enough to display it properly as per flag protocol.
If it’s not patriotism, is it an expression of protest? Does it indicate support for lawless convoys, anti-government protest, anti-vaccine or anti-mask protests? Is it too easy to assume that the camouflaged Ram and the hapless flag are the work of the same individual hoping to tap into anti-everything sentiment to generate business? If so, does corporate know about this? Does corporate approve?
If I had an investment portfolio at this place, I’d move it, just because of the flag and because somebody in that place has co-opted the national symbol to express discontent with the government or government policies. I’d feel the same way no matter the political party in power. I don’t expect Edward Jones Investments to tremble in their boots at the prospect of losing my business, business they’ve never had in the first place. But they might take notice of any attempts to influence some of their current customers to withdraw their own portfolios to protest the treatment of the flag.
The flag is not yours to fly whenever you want to express your displeasure at, well, whatever. Rather, it’s ours, as in all Canadians, some of whom are still proud of our country, notwithstanding some of the rubes that live within it.
People have sacrificed their lives in uniforms bearing that flag. Maybe show it the respect it deserves.
NEWSMAGRENFREW 