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Legion Flag Protocol |
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The Canadian Flag may be displayed on an appropriate pole outside of a Legion building. Legion Colours may be displayed outside of a Legion building providing flag poles are available. For example, a Legion building with two flag poles would fly the Canadian and applicable Provincial or Territorial Flag. The manner in which flags may be displayed in Canada is not governed by any legislation but by established practice adapted from international usage and customs of the federal government. At all times the Canadian Flag, as well as other flags, should be treated with dignity and displayed properly, out of respect for what and who they represent. An entire chapter (Chapter 7) of the Ritual and Insignia Manual is dedicated to flags, colour party information and flag protocol. Please refer to the manual whenever activities involving flags occur. HALF - MASTING At Legion establishments having an upright flagpole, the Canadian Flag should be flown at half-mast on the following occasions: Throughout Canada on the death of the Sovereign or a member of the Royal Family related in the first degree to the Sovereign, the Governor General, the Prime Minister, a former Governor General, a former Prime Minister, a federal Cabinet Minister, the Legion Dominion President, a past Legion Dominion president, a Legion Dominion officer and on other occasions as specifically directed by Dominion Command for days of national mourning. Within a province on the death of the Lieutenant-Governor, the Premier, a provincial Cabinet Minister, the Provincial President, a Past Provincial President, a Provincial Officer and on other occasions as specifically directed by Provincial Command for days of provincial mourning. Within a riding on the death of the member of the House of Commons or the member of the Provincial Legislature; Within a zone on the death of the Zone Commander or former Zone Commander; At a Branch on the death of a member of the Branch or Ladies Auxiliary, and at the discretion of the Branch on the death of a veteran or member of the Canadian Forces.
The Canadian Flag will be flown at half-mast on all federal government buildings and establishments across Canada from sunrise to sunset on Remembrance Day; Should half-masting occur near a cenotaph or at another site where Remembrance services are being observed, half-masting can occur from 11:00 a.m. (or according to the prescribed order of service) and extend until sunset on November 11; The flag on the Peace Tower will fly at half-mast from the commencement of the Remembrance Day service at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Ontario, and remain in that position until sunset. Legion Policy Canadian Flags flown outside Legion establishments where Remembrance Day services will not occur will be flown at half mast for the day; External Canadian Flags flown at Branches or cenotaphs where a Remembrance Service will occur will be flown at full-mast until the playing of the first note of the Last Post, and then lowered as per custom. The flags will be raised to the full-mast position on the first note of Rouse and remain so during the playing of the Royal Anthem and march past if applicable. Flags referred to above are to be lowered to half-mast following the Remembrance Day Service for the remainder of the day. The Canadian Flag is to be raised at sunset and then lowered and retired for the night. Vimy Ridge Day
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A flag flown at half-mast is the universal symbol of mourning. Only flags secured to flagpoles with halyards and pulleys will be half-masted. To place a flag at half-mast, it shall be raised to the masthead, then, slowly lowered until the flag’s centre is midway between the masthead and the base of the flagpole. When lowering a flag from the half-mast, it will first be raised to the masthead, then, lowered in the usual manner. On occasions requiring one flag to be flown at half-mast, all other flags flown with it should also be at half-mast. 
Updated:
March 20, 2013
Important Notices
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