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The American flag flying at half-mast in Buchenwald, Thuringia, Nazi Germany, on 19 April 1945 after the death of US President Franklin Roosevelt. Half-mast or half-staff (American English) refers to a flag flying below the summit of a ship mast, a pole on land, or a pole on a building. In many countries this is seen as a symbol of respect ...
- Objectives
- Definitions
- I. Mandatory Half-Masting
- II. Discretionary Provisions
- III. Discretionary Authority of The Prime Minister
- IV. Procedures
The half-masting of national flags is a well-established procedure whereby countries bestow an honour and express a collective sense of sorrow. Given that such flags are recognized as paramount symbols of their nations, the act of half-masting is a dramatic visual statement that speaks to the sense of loss that is shared by all their citizens. It i...
Unless the context otherwise requires it, the following terms shall mean: "Flag" 1. the National Flag of Canada as approved by Parliament and proclaimed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, on February 15, 1965. "Half-mast" 1. the position of the Flag when flying at half-mast will depend on its size, the length of the mast and its lo...
1. The Sovereign, the Governor General and the Prime Minister
Upon the death of the Sovereign, the current Governor General or the current Prime Minister, the Flag is flown at Half-mast on all federal buildings and establishments in Canada and abroad, including the Peace Tower, from the time of notification of death until sunset on the day of the funeral or the memorial service.
2. Sovereign's Family
Upon the death of the Sovereign's spouse, the Heir to the Throne or the Heir of the Heir to the Throne, the Flag is flown at Half-mast on all federal buildings and establishments in Canada and abroad, including the Peace Tower, from the time of notification of death until sunset on the day of the funeral or, if there is to be a memorial service, the Half-masting should take place from the time of notification of death until sunset the following day and from sunrise to sunset on the day of the...
3. Former Governor General
Upon the death of a former Governor General, the Flag is flown at Half-mast on all federal buildings and establishments in Canada, including the Peace Tower, from the time of notification of death until sunset on the day of the funeral or, if there is to be a memorial service, the Half-masting should take place from the time of notification of death until sunset the following day and from sunrise to sunset on the day of the memorial service.
12. Foreign Heads of State or Heads of Government - Half-masting Abroad
Upon the death of a current foreign head of state or a foreign head of government, the head of the local embassy, high commission or permanent mission may Half-mast the Flag in the host country, consistent with the practice adopted by the government of the host country. Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada will inform the Manager responsible for the administration of the Rules within the Department of Canadian Heritage of the occurrence of the event and the Half-masting measures take...
13. Special Circumstances in a Foreign Country
To commemorate prominent citizens of a host country, or a resident of that country who had made a significant contribution to Canada, or special events affecting the host country, the head of the local embassy, high commission or permanent mission may Half-mast the Flag in the host country consistent with the practice adopted by the government of the host country. Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada will inform the Manager responsible for the administration of the Rules within the D...
14. Employees of the Federal Government
When an employee of a federal department, agency or Crown corporation dies in the line of duty or by reason of the position he or she occupies within that federal department, agency or Crown corporation, the Minister responsible for that organization may decide to Half-mast the Flag. Half-masting in such circumstances can only be carried out on those buildings and establishments affiliated to the organization. The Minister may decide on the geographical extent of the Half-masting and its dura...
15. Foreign Heads of State or Heads of Government - Half-masting in Canada
Upon the death of a current foreign head of state or a foreign head of government, and after consideration of his/her stature and the relation of that country with Canada, the Prime Minister may approve the Half-masting of the Flag on the Peace Tower on the advice of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada and Canadian Heritage, and the recommendation of the Clerk of the Privy Council.
16. Exceptional Circumstances
In exceptional circumstances, and on the advice of the Department of Canadian Heritage and the recommendation of the Clerk of the Privy Council, the Prime Minister may approve the Half-masting of the Flag on the Peace Tower, and/or on all or some federal buildings and establishments in Canada or abroad, that is not provided for in the Rules.
17. Delegation of Authority
In the event that the Prime Minister is not available to consider the recommendations pursuant to Section 15 or 16 on an urgent basis, the Clerk of the Privy Council shall have the delegated authority to decide.
19. Legal Holidays
If the Flag is Half-masted anywhere in Canada or abroad in accordance with the Rules, it must nonetheless be flown at full-mast on the following legal holidays created under the Holidays Act (R.S.C. c. H-5): Victoria Day and Canada Day.
20. Visiting Foreign Head of State or Head of Government
If the Flag is Half-masted on the Peace Tower in accordance with the Rules, it must nonetheless be raised to full-mast while a foreign head of state or foreign head of government is visiting Parliament.
21. Exceptions to Sections 19 and 20
Sections 19 and 20 do not apply if the Flag is Half-masted for the death of the Sovereign, but the Flag is flown at full-mast on the day on which the accession of the new monarch is proclaimed. Sections 19 and 20 also do not apply if the Flag is Half-masted for the death of the current Governor General or the current Prime Minister.
Half-mast is used when the American flag is flown from a flagpole. Half mast means the flag is flown two thirds up between the top and bottom of the flagstaff. Ships mast or similar structure. It is traditionally employed to show respect for the passing of a prominent government official, military figure, or a national tragedy.
Find out why the National Flag of Canada is flying at half-mast on Parliament and Government of Canada buildings and establishments. Subscribe - National Flag of Canada half-masting notices Subscribe to receive half-masting notices by RSS feed.
Nov 21, 2023 · The half-mast flag meaning represents a day of remembrance or a National Day of Mourning. It might occur after the death of a Governor, Supreme Court Justice, or another dignitary. The flag flown ...
- Half-staff refers to lowering the United States flag halfway down the flag pole. It typifies a National Day of Mourning or remembrance.
- A flag should be flown at half-mast when ordered by the President of the United States or by a state/territorial governor. The flag at half-mast in...
- A flag flown at half-staff communicates a National Day of Mourning or remembrance. It can be ordered by the President of the United States or by st...
A flag that is flown at half-mast from the Peace Tower to honour the memory of a deceased person will be presented to the next of kin. Flags flown at half-mast from other federal government buildings may be presented to the next of kin when it is deemed appropriate. These flags should be folded properly, respecting Canadian flag-folding ...
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The phrase half-mast means the same thing as half-staff. It refers to a flag flown below the top of a flagpole to indicate mourning. Half-mast, however, refers to flags on ships or naval bases. These are the only places where flags are flown on something called a mast. A mast is a tall beam on many ships onto which a sail or other navigational ...
