No 'courtesy flags' at Kelowna City Hall
A cluster bomb of negative publicity about a pro-life flag prompted Kelowna city council to take a more neutral approach to supporting local causes.
Last week Kelowna almost agreed to become the first B.C. city to fly a "pro-life" flag over it's municipal offices
The flag could have potentially flown during the last week of September— deemed Protect Human Life Week by the city—but was rejected for including the words "from conception to natural death."
A second flag design was then submitted to city hall, but a proposal made within council chambers during the regular Monday meeting will let the city's decision makers off the hook.
Coun. Luke Stack introduced a motion that the city make a policy to fly the municipal, provincial and Canadian flag—and nothing else.
"I'd be prepared to second that motion," said Coun. Gail Given, noting that the media attention was potentially divisive.
"We need to reflect the needs of all our citizens."
Coun. Andre Blanleil pointed out that nobody could argue with being proud of city, province and country.
Council unanimously approved the motion, meaning no courtesy flags will fly. Tweaks to the bylaw will eventually be put forward.
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