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 displays, noting 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.
Really…???
Some people obviously have no joy in their life and way too much free time.
Awesome. The US is actively trying to harm our economy. Screw them.
It is always convinient to blame others… Our own federal and provincial leadership and their politics harm our country more than anyone else…
You spelled Mark Carney wrong. Smarten up. The numbers don’t lie. Ask Germany how well that net zero scam worked for them. Look at what adopting UNDRIP, giving greater Vancouver to musqueum tribe has done for investor confidence, and the impact to the Canadian economy.
Tanker ban.
5x bought floor crossers to gain a majority, therby completely eroding democracy in canada. Proving that your vote doesn’t matter. Trump didn’t do any of this. Carney did.
Psst, He was also friends with maxwell and mentioned 69 times in the epstein files, trump only 42. Stacked committees with liberals, turning off cameras at meetings, zero transparency. Censorship bills. Carbon taxes. Absolute disaster and he’s just getting warmed up!
Not free time! Trump is not a friend to Canada! 🇨🇦
You’re talking about our biggest trading partner and defender basically since our existence as a Country.
These people crying about the American flag are the same people crying for a pride flag + LGBTqt+7863lol be present everywhere.
Delusional… you’re letting one orange cheeto man destroy the relationship between our country’s.
The boomers have destroyed this country.
Agreed.
We are being governed by the Brookfield party of Canada.
While snowflakes argue over 1st world feelings, the corporatocracy is pillaging our sovereignty…borrowing on our behalf and awarding themselves the contracts via Carney, in the 100s of Billions! Net zero agenda bs will decimate our economy, our resources will be bought up for pennies on the dollar by American companies, ie. Brookfield.
Council’s role is to apply standards fairly and consistently. If Brennan Park Arena has long displayed a U.S. flag during annual hockey events without a formal flag policy in place, it raises a fair question as to why removing it for a graduation ceremony suddenly requires extensive policy development. Citizens deserve consistency, transparency, and COMMON SENSE in decision-making.
The political comments above fail to recognize that the actual sentiment behind the removal is because it makes for an awkward and confusing background for a Canadian high school graduation, for the ceremony itself and the photos they will treasure. It is a matter of decor and representation and has nothing to do with politics. The people bringing politics into this are ironically calling themselves out for being too political.
You spelled Mark Carney wrong. Smarten up. The numbers don’t lie. Ask Germany how well that net zero scam worked for them. Look at what adopting UNDRIP, giving greater Vancouver to musqueum tribe has done for investor confidence, and the impact to the Canadian economy.
Tanker ban.
5x bought floor crossers to gain a majority, therby completely eroding democracy in canada. Proving that your vote doesn’t matter. Trump didn’t do any of this. Carney did.
Psst, He was also friends with maxwell and mentioned 69 times in the epstein files, trump only 42. Stacked committees with liberals, turning off cameras at meetings, zero transparency. Censorship bills. Carbon taxes. Absolute disaster and he’s just getting warmed up! Go Brookfield!!