Markham set to stop flying foreign flags after flap over Chinese flag raising

Split 6-5 decision by council in favour of ending the practice up for ratification Feb. 11

Yorkreigon.com
February 11, 2020
Heidi Riedner

On Feb. 11, Markham’s elected officials will either ratify or backtrack on a decision last week to stop raising the flags of foreign nations on city soil.

At the end of a heated and lengthy two-hour debate, councillors voted 6-5 at committee meeting in favour of eliminating the practice except in the case of a visiting dignitary, which follows the practice of the federal government.

The issue was sparked by a flag-raising ceremony at the civic centre Oct. 5 celebrating the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China under Chinese Communist Party leadership.

Many residents were outraged, saying it was the wrong message to send given the chill in political relations between Canada and China over a number of issues -- the most notable of which involved the arrest of Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig on vague charges related to national security after Chinese Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Vancouver on an extradition request by the United States.

Any foreign flag raising, but particularly those associated with questionable human rights records, does not represent a celebration of culture, but rather an implied, and insensitive, endorsement of the regime in question, critics charged.

In response to a flood of complaints over the ceremony, Deputy Mayor and Regional Councillor Don Hamilton brought the matter forward to general committee, asking for a report back from staff regarding the flag-raising policy.

Saying the issue had deeply divided the community, Hamilton thought it a worthy exercise to have a discussion on whether the city should be allowing the raising of any flags of foreign nations.

The ensuing staff report tabled Feb. 2 recommended minor alterations to the city’s current policy, but did not include any foreign flag prohibition.

That didn’t sit well with Markham residents on hand to voice their concerns.

Marcus Kolga is the president of the Central Eastern European Council in Canada representing more than four million Canadians and a recognized international expert on foreign disinformation and influence campaigns.

He addressed council, however, as a “deeply concerned, 42-year resident of Unionville and Markham” who was “embarrassed and ashamed” over the raising of the Chinese Communist flag.

“As Canadians and residents of this great city who promote tolerance and human rights as core Canadian values, we cannot allow these principles to be cynically co-opted by those who value political transactions and power over human dignity.

"Raising the Chinese communist flag anywhere in this city is as offensive as raising the flag of any other totalitarian regime that’s engaged in ethnic cleansing and violent repression.

"It signals acquiescence to this behaviour and is taken by many as encouragement of further engagement in it.”

Markham resident and community activist Shanta Sundarason said only seven countries have had their flags raised at the city, with the majority of these countries “flouting basic human rights."

“The recent raising of several flags has caused hurt, sadness, anger, resentment and unrest amongst many within our community. There are many ways to celebrate diversity of the various nationalities here in Markham, but raising the flags of human rights-violating nations should not be part of that effort.”

Markham Mayor Frank Frank Scarpitti said the city “shouldn’t change a thing” about its flag-raising policy.

“It’s not a political statement. It’s when a community member wants a flag raising and, for me, as it's always been, it’s a source of pride of those cultural groups that they are a part of Markham and a part of Canada,” he said.

“I understand there are different perspectives. I get that. But don’t go down this path,” he urged his fellow councillors, noting “the great pride cultural groups take in raising flags that represent their culture in our city.”

Coun. Andrew Keyes, however, said the only reason they were having the discussion in the first place was because of the significant response from the public over the issue.

He argued these type of flag raisings do not bring the community together and proposed all foreign flag raisings be prohibited except in the case of a visiting dignitary, which follows the practice in Ottawa. Keyes said there are plenty of other ways to celebrate Markham's diversity.

A final vote takes place at council on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

At the Feb. 3 general committee meeting last week, councillors Keyes, Irish, McAlpine, Rea, Jones and Hamilton voted in favour of eliminating the practice. Mayor Scarpitti and councillors Ho, Lee, Collucci and Usman voted against. Councillors Heath and Li were absent.