Protocols: Guidelines for Half-Masting Flags
The half-masting of flags is a well-established custom demonstrating collective respect and sorrow in the event of death. Flags are normally flown at half-mast from the time of notification of death up to and including the day of the funeral. This practice is not mandatory for individuals or organizations. Flags at all provincial government buildings will be flown at half-mast upon the death of:
- the Sovereign;
- a member of the Royal Family related in the first degree to the Sovereign (that is to say husband, wife, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister);
- the Governor General of Canada, a former Governor General;
- the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, a former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario;
- the Premier of Ontario, a former Premier of Ontario;
- the Prime Minister, a former Prime Minister;
- any other person whom it is desired to honour;
- and on commemorative anniversary dates legislated by the Provincial Government.
Flags at all buildings within his or her own riding or community of residence will be flown at half-mast upon the death of:
- a Privy Councillor, Senator or a Member of the House of Commons from the Province of Ontario;
- a Member and/or a former Member of the Provincial Parliament of Ontario.
Flags are not normally half-masted for foreign or Commonwealth heads of state or government, as these fall under federal jurisdiction; nor for federal Ministers, Senators or Members of Parliament who are not from Ontario.
Flags will be half-masted on all provincial buildings and establishments in Canada from sunrise to sunset on the following commemorative days:
- April 28, Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace;
- November 11, Remembrance Day;
- December 6, National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
Flags at all buildings under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services will be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on the last Sunday in September for:
- National Peace and Police Officers Memorial Day
Flags at individual ministry or regional facilities may be half-masted in cases of lives lost while at work, or other tragic events. Flags at the Legislative Assembly are flown at half-mast at the discretion of the Speaker, not the Government.
Flags may be half-masted from sunrise to sunset on the day of the funeral in the region of the funeral for soldiers killed in the line of duty, who were originally from Ontario or recently posted to Ontario.
For additional information on half-masting regulations, please consult the Canadian Government's website:
Half-Masting of the Flag.
History of Government
