Tributes

Flags at half-mast

Flags at St. Catharines City Hall and other City facilities may be lowered to half-mast to mark certain commemorative dates or as a sign of respect and condolence following the passing of a current or former public figure, or a current or retired City employee.

The City follows the guidelines for the designated dates for half masting of flags at all City facilities on specific occasions and dates as posted by the federal government. This list is defined by the Department of Canadian Heritage Rules for Half-Masting the National Flag of Canada.

Additionally, the Mayor, Chief Administrative Officer, or an assigned representative can also direct that flags be lowered for other appropriate reasons.

Flag half-masting notices

Flags at St. Catharines City Hall and City facilities are lowered to half-mast from Wednesday, February 11 until Wednesday, February 18 in recognition of the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.

Flags at St. Catharines City Hall and City facilities are lowered to half-mast from in memory of Ali (Alice) Van Ojen, a City of St. Catharines crossing guard with 45 years of service.

Commemorative Dates

The City of St. Catharines joins municipalities and governments across the province and the country in recognizing the following commemorative dates with the lowering of flags to half-mast.

January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
April 9: Vimy Ridge Day
April 28: National Day of Mourning
June 23: National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism
Second Sunday in September: Firefighters’ National Memorial Day (unless half-masting occurs near the place where a memorial is being observed; in this case, half-masting occurs until sunset according to the prescribed order of service).
Last Sunday in September: Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day (unless half-masting occurs near the place where a memorial is being observed; in this case, half-masting occurs until sunset according to the prescribed order of service).
September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
November 8: Indigenous Veterans Day
November 11: Remembrance Day
- Half-masting occurs at 11 a.m. or according to the prescribed order of service at or near a cenotaph or another site where services are being observed.
- Flags are lowered to half-mast at the beginning of the Remembrance Day service at City Hall at 11 a.m. and are raised again at the end of the service. City staff lower the flags to half-mast again a half-hour later, and they remain at half-mast until sunset.
December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

The St. Catharines Municipal and Community Flag Raising Policy establishes a clear and consistent framework for managing the display of flags on municipal property. See the policy for additional details.

Ali (Alice) Van Ojen with 45 years of service.
Martien Smit (retired) was a Lead Hand and Custodian at the St. Catharines Museum and Welland Canals Centre for 27 years.