Revisit Flag Lowering Protocol

The Oct. 25th Ottawa Citizen’s Andrew Cohen’s reference to the number of times the Canadian flag has been half-masted this year is an issue that needs attention. Notwithstanding the well-meaning government acknowledgements in paying tribute to those that have died as a result of terrorist actions elsewhere or lowering the flag for certain Canadians, there is a risk we may become desensitized to the historical significance of this solemn gesture if it is done on a too frequent basis. As noted by Mr. Cohen, the recent streak of flag lowering also raises the understandable question of why him/her or that event and not another. When some people start viewing a lowered flag with a yawn it devalues the message and tells us that it is time we reconsider how we pay tribute to those events that may serve to impact the majority of Canadians.