A photo of the construction work to create a new accessible ramp between Sykes Street and the Market Square in Meaford. (Image courtesy of the Municipality of Meaford)
Meaford council will consider removing the United States flag from Market Square.
A staff report that will be received by council on Sept. 14 recommends taking down the U.S. flag due to the increasingly strained relationship between Canada’s federal government and the current U.S. administration, particularly regarding trade and the imposition of tariffs on Canadian products.
Staff note that the potential discontinuation of raising the U.S. flag on municipal property is a reflection of the current U.S. leadership and ongoing economic attacks against the Canadian economy and economies worldwide.
The municipality emphasizes that discontinuing the flag’s display on municipal lands is not intended as a reflection of disrespect toward the American people, but rather as strong opposition to the actions of the U.S. government.
Meaford has a rich and historically significant agricultural economy, and the local community is proud of its natural assets and culturally based tourism. Each of these sectors is being negatively impacted by U.S. trade actions.
The report and recommendation will come before council following a number of requests from the public to remove the U.S. flag from municipal property.