Commemorative Events

The City will only consider Commemorative Flag requests that satisfy the following criteria:

1. Are directly related to municipal programming or by way of a relevant funding or partnership agreement with the City; or 
2. Correspond with commemorative or awareness periods as established by the Ontario Government or the Government of Canada as identified on the following provincial and federal websites: Province of Ontario - Ontario's celebrations and commemorations and Government of Canada - Important and commemorative days

The City of Peterborough will not approve any Commemorative Flag or Commemorative Lighting request that:

1. Espouses violence, racism, or hatred against any group or individual.
2. Promotes political parties, groups, or organizations. 
3. Celebrates religious organizations or religious events, except as recognized under Section 4.1 of the policy, which corresponds to commemorative days, weeks and months that are recognized by the Ontario Government or the Government of Canada.
4. Is for a commercial entity or in celebration of a for-profit event.

The act of Half-Masting is a strong visual statement that speaks to the community’s sense of loss or reflection. The City lowers its flag to half mast upon the death of certain dignitaries, officials or City employees as identified in City procedures; and on days of reflection or mourning that are declared or enshrined in legislation by the Province, the Government of Canada, or City Council. The Half-Masting of the National Flag and the Provincial Flag will be in accordance with the Government of Canada’s Rules for Half-Masting the National Flag of Canada and the Provincial Guidelines for Half-Masting flags, respectively.

The City will consider Commemorative Lighting requests that satisfy the following criteria:

1. Are directly related to municipal programming or by way of a relevant funding or partnership agreement with the City; or
2. Correspond with commemorative or awareness periods as established by the Ontario Government or the Government of Canada as identified on the following provincial and federal websites: Province of Ontario - Ontario's celebrations and commemorations and Government of Canada - Important and commemorative days
3. Recognize or bring awareness to the work of a non-profit or charitable organization or local initiative that promotes health, safety, and wellbeing or fosters cultural diversity, inclusion, and belonging in the City of Peterborough.

The City of Peterborough will not approve any Commemorative Flag or Commemorative Lighting request that:

1. Espouses violence, racism, or hatred against any group or individual.
2. Promotes political parties, groups, or organizations. 
3. Celebrates religious organizations or religious events, except as recognized under Section 4.1 of the policy, which corresponds to commemorative days, weeks and months that are recognized by the Ontario Government or the Government of Canada.
4. Is for a commercial entity or in celebration of a for-profit event.

Before submitting a request, please review the criteria for commemorative flag and lighting requests above.

All requests will be reviewed by the City of Peterborough to ensure that they adhere to our commemorative lighting criteria and can be accommodated in the lighting schedule.

Requests must be submitted at least three weeks before the event. Requests are processed in the order in which they are received.

We will strive to respond to requests within five to seven business days.

Make a commemorative lighting request