The Issue
North Vancouver is home to one of Canada's largest and most vibrant Iranian Canadian communities. Many of us came to Canada seeking freedom, democracy, and safety from political persecution. Yet when our city engages with our community at civic and cultural events, the flag displayed to represent us is the flag of the Islamic Republic — the very regime many of us fled.

The current flag of Iran, adopted after the 1979 Revolution, bears the official emblem of the Islamic Republic. For countless Iranians in the diaspora — especially those who escaped political repression — it represents the current governing regime, not the Iranian nation or its people. Many Iranian Canadians do not identify with this flag and do not consider it a symbol of their heritage.

There is an alternative with deep historical roots: the Lion and Sun flag. This emblem represented Iran for centuries, appearing under successive dynasties long before 1979. It is woven into Iranian history, culture, and national identity, and it represents the continuity of the Iranian nation beyond any single government or political system.

Since the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement and the pro-democracy protests that have swept Iran in recent years, the Lion and Sun flag has become a powerful symbol of solidarity with the Iranian people. At demonstrations across Canada and around the world, Iranians carry this historic flag as they call for a free and democratic future for their homeland.

Over the past several years, particularly following the nationwide "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement and other pro-democracy protests including nationwide uprising in January 2026 ("The Lion and Sun Revolution"), the Lion and Sun flag has increasingly become a symbol of solidarity with the Iranian people and their aspirations for democracy, human rights, secular governance, and political freedom. At demonstrations across Canada and around the world, this historic flag has been carried by Iranians calling for a free and democratic future for Iran.

For our community, the Lion and Sun flag symbolizes:

• The rich civilizational heritage of Iran
• National unity beyond political or religious divisions
• Freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights
• Solidarity with Iranians peacefully struggling for liberty
• The hope for an Iran whose government reflects the will of its people

We recognize that Iranians hold diverse views and that no single symbol speaks for everyone. But a significant portion of the Iranian Canadian community identifies with the Lion and Sun flag as the historic national symbol of Iran — a symbol of the Iranian people, not any particular government.

What We Are Asking
We respectfully call on the City of North Vancouver to:

1. Recognize the Lion and Sun flag as the historic national flag of Iran when participating in community or cultural events organized by the Iranian Canadian community.
2. Consult with representatives of the local Iranian Canadian community on the appropriate use of Iranian national symbols during civic ceremonies.
3. Reaffirm the City's commitment to inclusion and human rights by respecting communities whose identities are not represented by the official symbols of the governments they fled.

Why This Matters
Canada has long stood as a beacon for those escaping persecution and authoritarianism. Displaying a flag is never a neutral act — it tells a community whether it is truly seen. For refugees and immigrants who risked everything to escape the Islamic Republic, being greeted at civic events by that regime's flag is a painful reminder of what they left behind.

Recognizing the historic Lion and Sun flag in appropriate civic contexts costs nothing, harms no one, and would affirm the City's respect for the lived experiences of thousands of Iranian Canadians — and their enduring connection to Iran's history, culture, and aspirations for freedom.

Sign this petition to tell the Mayor and Council of North Vancouver: our community deserves to be represented by a symbol of its people, not the regime it fled.

Organized by: "The Kaviani Banner Society" and "Guard Javidan Canada"
This petition will be presented to the Mayor and Members of Council of the City of North Vancouver, and organizers welcome the opportunity to meet with Council to discuss this request further.