Have you noticed? The Canadian flag no longer flies next to the American and Idaho flags near the visitor center in downtown Bonners Ferry, welcoming our friends from the North.
As a result of a recent law passed by the Idaho legislature, some flags are prohibited from being flown on public property. Is the Canadian flag one of those flags? On Tuesday, May6, the Bonners Ferry City Council will consider that issue.
In a memo to the city council Andrakay Pluid, city attorney, wrote:
“I was asked by Mayor Alonzo to provide the legal options regarding the display of the Canadian flag for Council’s consideration. It is my opinion that the Council has three options to consider:
1. Continue to display the Canadian flag in contradiction of the statute. This will likely result in litigation through a writ of mandamus and I do not recommend this given the possible financial requirements of litigation as well as the burden on staff unnecessarily.
2. Discontinue displaying the Canadian flag.
3. Section (g) contemplates that flags of other countries can be flown to commemorate “special occasions.” The City Council is empowered with wide latitude of self governance through Idaho Code 50-301. It is common for cities across the state to commemorate local holidays or days of celebration through resolution. It is my opinion that the City Council could adopt a resolution commemorating certain days or even 365 days a year a “special occasion” in Bonners Ferry recognizing our relationship or friendship with our Canadian neighbors. This would empower the City to fly the Canadian flag if it chose to while not running afoul of the plain language of the statute.
“Ultimately, this is a council decision and I am happy to answer any questions to the best of my ability. Given the relative newness of this statute, it’s an untested issue.”
Option 3 makes the most sense! It certainly is an untested issue and this was emphasized during the Senate hearings on House Bill 96. I quote from a March 26th issue of the Idaho Capital Sun that reported on the hearings:
“The bill sponsor, Sen. Ben Toews, R-Coeur d’Alene, said the bill “isn’t stifling freedom of speech,” and local and state governments should remain neutral.
Sen. Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, asked if it would impact Bonners Ferry, a town he represents that flies a Canadian flag at the entrance of the city to welcome Canadian visitors.
“It’s hard to say if that’s a special occasion, I mean being a border town, I think it is understood as something that’s important, and it does allow for official flags of countries other than the United States,” Toews said. “It’s a little bit of a gray area to be honest.”
Even one of the bill’s sponsors admits this is a gray area!
Let’s put the flag back up and welcome our Canadian friends to our town again.
Gray Henderson
Bonners Ferry
Agree! Let’s put the Canadian Flag back up and continue a long standing tradition. Bonners Ferry has a tradition of being a welcoming city. We are a part of the Selkirk Loop and known as the Northern International Gateway. These relationships demonstrate how a friendship between neighbors benefits all. Making our friends to the north feel welcome is just common sense.
Lets treat our neighbors with respect!
I support flying the Canadian Flag.
Fly the flag 365 days a year! Bonners Ferry is a special locatoin with respect to Canads and every day should be a special occasion to welcome Canadians. This is simply common sense and neighborliness.
Absolutely fly the Canadian flag! Who could ask for better neighbors and friends? This has all gotten ridiculous. Charlie McCrum