Commonwealth Day marked by Toronto without the British flag, for the first time!

The nation's largest city agrees with a goal of this petition: that the Commonwealth flag be flown for Commonwealth Day, and not the British Union Jack. For the first time, Toronto is marking the day, today, by flying only the organization's flag. This breaks with the antiquated federal rule calling on all federal facilities across the country to fly the British flag for the annual day. Our petition seeks to update that and other federal rules. Toronto had followed Ottawa's guideline for years (even though it wasn't required to), until today. The city has opted to solely use the flag which the Commonwealth adopted 42 years ago. Its creation was based on a Canadian design that sprang from an Ottawa meeting in 1973. Yet Ottawa does not mark the day by flying the inclusive flag it gave birth to--one used by 52 other countries, including Britain. Instead, it has federal buildings, airports, national parks & historic sites, et al., fly the imperial British flag to symbolize the global group. Toronto also once flew the UK flag, alone, for this day. Then, at the annual request of private citizens, it agreed to fly the Commonwealth flag if they bought and loaned it to the city. It flew from a secondary flag pole, while the British flag continued to occupy a place of honour on the main courtesy pole. When the flag's design was slightly modified, the city purchased its own, and no longer required an annual request. Until today, it flew both flags for Commonwealth Day. The UK flag has now been properly retired from this purpose. Ottawa needs to follow suit, and, moreso, update its precedence rules. The federal government should be leading on matters of flag protocol. Instead, by not acting, a city like Toronto is charting it own course. Ottawa continues to use the UK flag for Commonwealth Day, Victoria Day, and December 11, and, crucially, it surrenders the Maple Leaf from its place of honour for royal and vice-regal flags. Toronto's decision is cause to cheer. Let's make sure Ottawa knows that it's time to get on the right side of history. Sign this petition if you haven't already, and *share* it on your social networks. Minds in Ottawa can change when they hear our lucid and patriotic voices. Photo: Commonwealth flag at Toronto city hall, replacing the British Union Jack for the first time