There are no plans to remove the Stars and Stripes from above the ice at the Meridian Community Centre—for now.
Some Canadian communities are taking a distinctly frosty approach to our southern neighbour, including Barrie, Ont., where the American flag is now vexillum non grata.
“Effective immediately, I have instructed the City of Barrie staff to remove United States flags from all city-owned facilities,” announced Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall. “This is the flag of the commander-in-chief, the U.S. president, who is threatening our sovereignty, our security, our right to self-determination and freedoms. He is threatening our jobs, the finances of families and attempting to take food off our tables.”
West Lincoln Township Council voted to remove the US flag from its community arena last week.
And in Pelham?
Chief Administrative Officer David Cribbs says of the single American flag hanging in the MCC that there are presently no plans to remove it.
“The MCC welcomes tens of thousands of American guests each year for a variety of sporting and cultural events. Both anthems also continue to be sung whenever an American-based team is known to be in the building.”
The CAO says that as part of the Niagara Region, the Town wishes to remain a welcoming place for all guests and tourists. “Broadly speaking, it is not common or best practice to politicize amateur sporting events—the majority of which involve children.”
When PelhamToday visited at midday Wednesday, the MCC was virtually empty. A staffer at the information desk said that apart from one comment several days before, she had not heard any user complaints about the US flag.
It was different on Pelham Street in downtown Fonthill. A highly random survey of eight pedestrians turned up seven who favoured removing the flag—peppering their comments with some spicy adjectives—and one man, walking his dog, who was undecided. They were all in agreement, however, in not wanting to share their names.
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Mayor Marvin Junkin is taking a wait-and-see approach.
“I have personally received three emails from residents suggesting that the Town remove all American flags from Town facilities,” Junkin tells PelhamToday. “Town staff and I have decided against this action, for now, as the tariff situation seems to be changing hourly.”
While it remains to be seen whether tens of thousands of Americans will still be making their way to the MCC this year, given Trump’s trade war and increasingly hostile commentary about Canada, for the moment, if they do, their national flag will continue to greet them.