Mississauga is removing American flags from all sports arenas, while Toronto has no current plans to do so.
On Mar. 15, Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish posted on X that Canadian flags would replace American flags in all sports arenas and locations along Lake Ontario. The removal of the flags comes amid a trade war sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year, where he has imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian aluminum and steel imports this month and more tariffs are set to kick in next month.
Read More
Read More
According to Parrish, American flags were along the lake in the first place to welcome boaters that would arrive into Port Credit during the summer.
At the request of many, the City has begun to remove all American flags from sports arenas and locations along Lake Ontario,including the pier at Snug Harbour in Port Credit. Oversized Canadian flags (15’x30’) are ordered and will be installed on all the poles at City Hall. pic.twitter.com/vG7qL1RvWB
— Mayor Carolyn Parrish (@carolynhparrish) March 15, 2025
Mississauga isn’t the first municipality to remove American flags. Earlier this month Barrie’s mayor ordered the removal of U.S. flags from city buildings, while the town of West Lincoln in the Niagara region ordered the same last month.
Read More
Online, people are reacting to Mississauga’s decision to remove American flags.
“Appreciate your leadership! You consistently show what good governance & leadership from the mayor’s office looks like!,” one person said on X.
“Great. What took so long. It’s about time. Now, the rest of the Canadian cities need to do the same,” another X user commented.
Others think the removal of flags is an overreaction.
“This is really short sighted. The US is not our enemy & if your City has always displayed the US flag, you should continue to do so. You should not be pushing your opinions on others. The vast majority of Canadians support our US friends. Leave politics out of it,” one person commented on X.
“Mayor, I think this is too petty, we should try to douse the tension. Like the Premier said, it’s all about just one man – Trump and not all Americans. I wish you great success,” another person said.
Parrish also confirmed in the comments underneath her post on X that the Every Child Matters flag would remain at City Hall, and that Pride flags can remain in any locations they are currently in.
Meanwhile, some people online are urging all Canadian cities to remove American flags.
“Pull down every American flag in Canada. You don’t fly the flag of the country that wants to annex you,” one person said on X.
“As long as the United States of America continues to threaten Canada with annexation, all American flags should be immediately removed from every government or community owned building in Canada,” another X user commented.
WILL TORONTO FOLLOW SUIT?
The City of Toronto told Now Toronto in an email on Monday that there are no plans to remove any U.S. flags in sports arenas or other locations or city buildings right now.
“At this time there are no plans to remove any US flags displayed at City of Toronto facilities,” a spokesperson said.
However, on Monday, Mayor Olivia Chow announced an economic action plan in response to U.S. tariffs which are expected to take place on all Canadian goods on Apr. 2.
The city plans to find local alternatives for construction materials, technology, municipal water equipment, and paramedic supplies while prioritizing Indigenous, Black, and diverse suppliers and social enterprises.
The city will also be deferring property taxes for industrial properties, while increasing spending towards Canadian-owned businesses and expanding global reach for Toronto businesses for other export partnerships in Europe and the rest of the world.
