Flags and Days of Significance | City of Kawartha Lakes

Recognize a Day of Significance

Does your group have a special day or cause you’d like recognized? We offer several ways to celebrate and observe, from a Council announcement to a flag-raising ceremony. Learn more below about the types of events we recognize, the four levels of recognition available and eligibility criteria.

Flag Locations

Half-masting of flags are at the following locations:

City Hall, Lindsay
Coboconk Service Centre
Bobcaygeon Service Centre
Omemee Service Centre
Logie Park

Ceremonial flags are flown at these locations:

City Hall

Levels of Recognition

Flag-Raising

A flag is raised, with an option of a flag raising ceremony with Mayor/Deputy Mayor in attendance.
A press release, social media and listing on the municipal website will be issued to inform the public.
An announcement will be made in the Council Meeting by the Mayor/Deputy Mayor immediately preceeding or following the flag raising.
The lights at City Hall may be requested to be lit in a specific colour.

Flag-Lowering

The City will fly National, Provincial and City flags at half-mast in the event of a death as prescribed in the Policy or to commemorate a solemn occasion.
The act of half-masting is a strong visual statement that speaks to the sense of loss that is shared by all citizens.

Council Recognition

Mayor/Deputy Mayor makes an announcement during Council
Communications issues a press release and social media, listing on City website under Days of Significance page and Calendar of Events.
The lights at City Hall may be requested to be lit in a specific colour.

Municipal Awareness

A press release is issued, listing on City website under Days of Significance page and Calendar of Events.
The lights at City Hall may be requested to be lit in a specific colour.

Criteria to Recognize a Day of Significance

1. The day or cause to be recognized must reflect the corporate mission, vision and values.

2. The day or cause to be recognized must not:

involve violence, racism or hatred, nor have political or religious motivation.
have philosophy that is contrary to City policies/by-laws.
conflict with another recognized day or cause on the municipal calendar.

3. The day or cause to be recognized must be in connection with a local charitable or non-profit organization to:

help increase public awareness of their programs and activities; or
celebrate national or international distinction or a significant contribution to the community; or
recognize an organization that has helped to enhance Kawartha Lakes in a positive manner; or
celebrate significant historic milestones (e.g. 25^th, 50^th or 100^th anniversary); or
at the discretion of the City Clerk, in consultation with the Chief Administrative Office, as a symbolic gesture of collective community spirit and support.

4. An organization shall not be recognized more than once per calendar year.

5. Organizations are required to submit recognition applications on an annual basis.

Criteria for a Flag-Raising

1. There may be up to two recognition events per month involving alternate flags.

2. A flag may be flown for up to one month, or for the duration of the event, whichever is less.

3. Alternate flag-raisings may or may not include a ceremony.

4. All flag-raisings will take place at City Hall, 26 Francis Street, Lindsay.

Conditions for Flag-Raising Ceremonies

1. The City will arrange for the flag to be raised and lowered by staff.

2. All other costs associated with recognition flag raising and ceremonies are at the cost of the local association (e.g. flags, audio/visual equipment, signage, speakers and all other costs for a flag raising or lowering ceremony are at the cost of the local association requesting the recognition).

3. Organizations with approved flag raising requests are required to provide a flag seven (7) business days in advance of the flag-raising.

4. All other information pertaining to the flag raising recognition, including a ceremony if approved, will be required ten (10) business days in advance of the recognition.

5. The City of Kawartha Lakes does not issue proclamations, as per the Procedural By-Law (Download).

6. The City Clerk reserves the right to assign a recognition level and/or deny request.

Calendar of Annual Events

Request a Day of Significance

Month	Date	Event	Recognition level
January	January 1	New Year’s Day - facility/program changes	Municipal awareness
February	Third week	Heritage Week	Municipal awareness
	Third Monday	Family Day weekend hours of operation	Municipal awareness
	Full month	Black History Month	Council recognition
March	March 8	International Women’s Day	Flag raising
April	Easter Weekend in entirety	Easter weekend hours of operation	Municipal awareness
	April 22	Earth Day	Council recognition
	April 28	National Day of Mourning-workplace death and injury	Flag lowering
May	First week	Emergency Preparedness Week	Municipal awareness
	First week	Mental Health Week (CMHA)	Council recognition
	May 5	National Day of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people (MMiQG2S) also known as Red Dress Day)	Municipal awareness
	Fourth Monday	Victoria Day weekend hours of operation	Municipal awareness
	Fourth week	Paramedic Services Week	Municipal awareness
	Last week	National Accessibility Week	Municipal awareness
June	June	Pride Month	Flag raising
	June 21	National Indigenous Peoples Day	Council recognition
July	July 1	Canada Day	Municipal awareness
August	First Monday	Civic Holiday weekend hours of operation	Council recognition
September	First Monday	Labour Day weekend hours of operation	Council recognition
	Second Sunday	Canadian Firefighters’ National Memorial Day	Flag lowering
	September 18	Big Brothers Big Sisters Day	Council recognition
	Last Sunday	Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day	Flag lowering
	September 30	National Day for Truth and Reconciliation	Flag raising
October	Month	National Disability Employment Awareness Month	Council recognition
	Month	Circular Economy Month	Council recognition
	October 1	National Seniors Day (Seniors for Climate)	Council recognition
	Second Monday	Thanksgiving weekend hours of operation	Municipal awareness
	Third week	Ontario Public Library Week	Municipal awareness
	Fourth week	Small Business Week	Municipal awareness
November	November 6	Show Your 4-H Colours Day	Municipal awareness
	November 11	Remembrance Day	Flag lowering
December	December 6	National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women	Flag lowering
	Dec 3	International Day of Disabled Persons	Municipal awareness
	Dec 25	Christmas and Holidays hours of operation	Municipal awareness