Canadians are having mixed reactions after Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall ordered that all U.S. flags be removed from the city buildings immediately in light of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods.
On Tuesday afternoon, Nuttall announced on X that he asked city staff to remove American flags at least until the relationship between the two North American neighbours is re-established.
Earlier that day, Donald Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on imported Canadian goods and 10 per cent on Canadian energy, triggering a trade war.
“Effective immediately, I have instructed City staff to remove all US flags from all city-owned facilities. This is part of our commitment to Barrie residents to standing up against the tariffs imposed by President Trump,” he wrote on X on Tuesday.
Nuttall pointed out that the flags will be removed as long as the tariffs are in place, and that the measure will be re-evaluated after the trade war ends and relationship with our southern neighbours is restored to determine whether it’s appropriate to bring them back.
“This isn’t about being disrespectful. This is about ensuring that our young people and our citizenry aren’t being plagued with the U.S. flag in the midst of all this turmoil,” he said.
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For now, the mayor says the flags should only be displayed when an American team comes to play at the Barrie facilities.
Effective immediately, I have instructed City staff to remove all US flags from all city-owned facilities. This is part of our commitment to Barrie residents to standing up against the tariffs imposed by President Trump. #Barrie #BarrieMayor #BarrieOn 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/8LdyVDA2vR
— Alex Nuttall (@AlexFromBarrie) March 4, 2025
According to a study conducted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the City of Barrie is ranked 19th in terms of Canadian cities most vulnerable to the tariffs.
“It’s inappropriate for the flag of another country that is threatening the sovereignty of our country and the livelihoods of our people to be flying inside of our facilities,” he said. “Right now there will be no American flags flying in the City of Barrie facilities.”
The mayor says that while the American flags have been displayed in city buildings for a long time, he doesn’t know when and why they were put there in the first place.
“The reality is that we live in Canada. We are an independent country. We have self-determination and freedom. And the only flag that should be flying inside our facilities is the Canadian flag.”
WEST LINCOLN VOTES TO REMOVE FLAGS
Last week, another township in Ontario had voted to remove American flags from its buildings amid tariff threats.
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West Lincoln, Ont., only an hour away from the U.S. border, voted unanimously to stop U.S. flags from being permanently displayed in its community centre.
Different from Nuttall, Coun. William Reilly, responsible for issuing the motion, said the issue is about respect.
“I feel disrespected by our American neighbours. It kind of strikes a nerve that here we are in our country, in our facility, proudly displaying their flag,” he said.
MIXED REACTIONS AMONG CANADIANS
Canadians seem to have mixed feelings about removing U.S. flags from city facilities.
Although some agree with Nuttall that Canadian cities shouldn’t be displaying American flags in light of the imposed tariffs, others believe that the country should attempt to maintain a respectful relationship with the U.S.
“Thank you Mayor Nuttall. I’m watching the address & this administration & this small little man are threatening their closest ally, their closest friend. We cannot let them walk all over us,” a user wrote on X.
“Utterly ridiculous and petty. The epitome of bad sportsmanship,” another user wrote.
Residents also pointed out that many American families live in Canadian cities like Barrie and West Lincoln, and could feel offended with the move.
“1,000 Americans live in Barrie. Trump doesn’t even know where Barrie is. Alex you are part of the problem,” a different user wrote.
“All of a sudden you turn your back on the country that has protected Canada for many many years,” another user commented.
