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
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 other City facilities are lowered to half-mast on Tuesday, May 5, 2026 in recognition of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People.
In recognition of Red Dress Day, flags at St. Catharines City Hall have been lowered to half-mast and a red dress has been displayed as a visual reminder of the lives lost and the voices that must never be forgotten.
Red Dress Day, officially known as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People (MMIWG2S+), is an Indigenous-led day to honour those who are missing or have been taken, and to raise awareness of the ongoing violence faced by women, girls, Two-Spirit and gender-diverse people across Canada. It is a day to honour the lives and spirits of those lost to gender-based and colonial violence, while standing with families and communities who continue to call for justice and accountability. Inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black-Morsette and her REDress Project, red dresses displayed in public spaces represent the absence of those who are missing or have been taken.
This day invites reflection, learning, and action, guided by the Calls for Justice from the National Inquiry into MMIWG. As a community, it’s important we continue to listen, learn, and reflect. Today, we encourage residents to take time to honour the lives impacted, support families and communities, and consider how we - as individuals and as a municipality - can contribute to communities where Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are respected, valued, and supported.
We encourage the community to attend the annual walk in downtown St. Catharines tonight at 5:30 p.m., starting and ending at Brock University’s Marilyn I Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. Thanks to Fallon Farinacci,
Niagara Regional Native Centre (NRNC) and
Downtown St. Catharines for your continued leadership.
The City remains committed to working alongside Indigenous communities and organizations, including the NRNC, to strengthen relationships and advance the shared work of truth and reconciliation. We know this work is ongoing, and we will continue to move forward together with care, respect, and a willingness to learn.
Commemorative Dates
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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
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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.
