"A city spokesperson told CBC Toronto Monday that just because the city is raising the flag, it doesn't mean the city supports the cause. The use of the City's courtesy flagpole neither implies nor expresses support for the politics or policies of nations and/or organizations but raises the flag in recognition of those citizens or members that have made the request, the spokesperson said in an emailed statement."
"Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow's press secretary, Braman Thillainathan, said in an emailed statement tthat the flag raising was approved by the city's protocol office, not city council or the mayor. City Council provided the Protocol Office authority to manage the public flagpole booking process in 1999, Thillainathan said Monday. They also said the city flies flags of nations that are recognized by the Government of Canada on their national days, special occasions or anniversaries."
Toronto approved a request from a non-profit to fly the Palestine flag at City Hall on Nov. 17 to recognize State of Palestine Independence Day on Nov. 15. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians requested the flag raising. The approval came from the city's protocol office, which City Council authorized in 1999 to manage public flagpole bookings. City officials emphasized that flying a flag on the courtesy flagpole does not indicate city support for the cause and that flags are raised in recognition of citizens or members who request them. The city flies flags of nations recognized by the Government of Canada on national days, special occasions or anniversaries. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recognized Palestine in September at the United Nations General Assembly, and Global Affairs Canada later confirmed recognition directly with the city. There were more than 60 flag raisings at Toronto City Hall last year.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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