Calgary City Hall will no longer raise foreign national flags following a narrow vote by city council that changes long-standing protocol around civic flag displays.

Council voted 8–7 on Monday to amend the city’s flag policy, removing provisions that allowed foreign national flags to be flown on municipal property, including during national days or official visits by international dignitaries. The change limits flag displays at City Hall to Canadian, Alberta and municipal flags only.

The motion was brought forward by Coun. Dan McLean and supported by Mayor Jeromy Farkas. It also updates the city’s rules for ceremonial and solemn occasions to explicitly exclude national flags of other countries, preventing them from being raised or lowered to half-mast under any circumstances.

Mayor Farkas said the decision brings consistency to civic spaces and keeps the focus on municipal responsibilities. In a post on X, he said the city can continue recognizing Calgary’s diversity through inclusive, community-led activities rather than official flag raisings at City Hall.

McLean told council that the practice, once seen as symbolic and welcoming, had become increasingly contentious. He said recent flag raisings had coincided with incidents and messaging he described as antisemitic, creating tension rather than unity.

“As a municipal government, we have a responsibility to ensure that the spaces and ceremonies we oversee reflect neutrality, unity and respect for all Calgarians,” McLean said during the debate.

Councillors later confirmed the discussion was prompted by the recent raising of a Palestinian flag at City Hall, which followed federal recognition of Palestine as a state. McLean argued that chants heard during that event crossed a line and contributed to division.

The issue had been before council previously, after an earlier attempt to fast-track a similar proposal failed on procedural grounds last month. That delay led to further debate before Monday’s final vote.

Supporters of the change said restricting flags to Canadian, provincial and municipal symbols would help reduce conflict and treat all communities equally. Opponents argued the move limited opportunities for symbolic recognition and could be seen as exclusionary.

Councillors Rob Ward, Landon Johnston, John Pantazopoulos, Harrison Clark, Mike Jamieson, Kim Tyers and McLean voted in favour of the amendment, along with the mayor. Councillors Nathaniel Schmidt, DJ Kelly, Raj Dhaliwal, Myke Atkinson, Andrew Yule, Andre Chabot and Jennifer Wyness opposed it.

With the policy now amended, City Hall flag displays will be limited to domestic symbols, while cultural celebrations and national observances are expected to continue through community events held elsewhere in Calgary.