Squamish Council orders removal of American flag from Brennan Park 

The Squamish Council has directed staff to remove the American flag from Brennan Park Arena following a series of formal complaints. The decision ensures the flag will be absent for the upcoming Howe Sound Secondary  graduation on June 11.

Lisa Manzini, a local parent and volunteer, shared her “baffling” experience of watching her daughter graduate in 2025 beneath a US flag last year, in an email to the district. In her correspondence with the district, Manzini argued HSS should be able to remove the flag for the three hour window of the event. She pointed out that it was nowhere near hockey season, and should not conflict with the two US U18 teams Squamish hosts, for which the flag is for.

District staff initially denied the Grad Committee’s request for a temporary removal. Jay Deo, Director of Recreation & Culture maintained that the flag must stay “as is” until a formal, Council-endorsed flag policy could be established, a process involving consultation with the Squamish Nation that would not be complete until late 2026.

The chair of the HSS Grad Committee, appealed for flexibility, noting that as a “user group hosting a large-scale, paid event,” the committee hoped the setting would better reflect local expectations for such a meaningful milestone.

The correspondence was seen at this week’s council meeting on May 19, where the debate shifted toward the flag’s limited utility.

Councillor Pettingill argued against the District’s “starting point” of year-round display, pointing out that the American teams play only about two games in the entire season. Councillor Hamilton supported the immediate removal.

“The spirit of that American flag in the arena welcoming American teams is a good thing,” said councillor Hamilton. “But the existence of that flag in a purely Squamish-based Canadian BC high school graduation is not needed…that flag has nothing to do with their graduation.”

Mayor Armand Hurford attempted to find a middle ground by proposing an amendment to remove the flag for the ceremony but reinstall it for the start of the next hockey season. He argued this would allow for a more “wholesome conversation” later in the year. However, his amendment failed, and the Mayor ultimately voted against the permanent removal, saying the decision required more scrutiny than the Council could provide in a single night.

Ultimately, the motion to remove the flag in perpetuity was carried, with the understanding that a formal municipal flag policy will be presented for consideration before the end of 2026.