Ban desecration of Canadian flag
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to make it illegal to destroy or desecrate the Canadian flag without lawful excuse. The government responds that any measure must respect the Charter's freedom of expression.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would create a clear legal prohibition against destroying or desecrating the national flag, giving affected citizens a formal remedy.
- It recognizes the flag's symbolic importance and responds to public concern about disrespecting a national symbol.
- It would align Canada with other democracies that have laws against flag desecration, as cited in the petition.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Such a law may infringe Charter protections for freedom of expression, as the government noted, risking unconstitutional limits.
- Criminal penalties could deter lawful protest or artistic expression and be difficult to apply consistently.
- Non-criminal responses, like public education or etiquette guidelines, may address concerns without restricting expression.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government of Canada Canada does not have any laws prohibiting contempt of the flag, as many countries do, such as France, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. We, the undersigned, Citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to introduce a bill to protect our Canadian flag from any action that would destroy or desecrate the national flag without lawful excuse.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Signed by THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY PATRICIA LATTANZIO The Government of Canada recognizes that the mistreatment of a national symbol, such as the Canadian flag, can be deeply offensive to many people in Canada. The Canadian flag is a powerful symbol of the country’s shared history, democratic values, and the sacrifices made by those who served the country. All laws in Canada must respect the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, including the guarantee of freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression in section 2(b). This guarantee has been interpreted broadly to include any activity or communication—aside from violence or threats of violence—that conveys or attempts to convey meaning. Section 1 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms requires that any law that limits freedom of expression be demonstrably justified as a reasonable limit. The Government takes seriously the concerns raised by Canadians about protecting national symbols and is prepared to carefully examine proposals that seek to better protect the Canadian flag, while ensuring that any potential measures are consistent with the Charter and reflect the fundamental importance of freedom of expression in Canada.