The Friendly City has formally changed the process for approving special flag-raising and lighting ceremonies.
Belleville Council approved a bylaw change to the policy at their meeting on Monday afternoon. It passed quickly and without extensive discussion.
Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis says he is in favour of the new policy as it lays out clear guidelines but still leaves the final decision with the Mayor and CAO.
The new policy was developed to replace the existing one, that was originally drafted and passed back in 2009.
The report included with the proposed bylaw specifically mentions that previously there has been a lack of evaluation criteria, which has provided challenges when a request may be from for-profit organizations or related to ideological or religious beliefs.
The policy also sets out that Proclamations, Lighting and Community Flag Raisings will not be
issued for:
- Political parties or political organizations
- Promotion of business or commercial enterprise
- Matters related to ideological or religious beliefs
- Matters inciting hatred, or those that are discriminatory
- Organizations or events with no direct relationship with the City of Belleville
- Intent contrary to City policies or by-laws
- Intent is to defame the integrity of the City of Belleville
- Matters which are untruthful
To ensure that requests are handled consistently and equitably, a Proclamation must be
issued in order to also receive a Lighting or Community Flag Raising.
