Statement By Mayor Berry Vrbanovic on the 60th anniversary of the Canadian Flag

Today, residents of Kitchener and Canadians from coast to coast to coast will be celebrating the 60th anniversary since our current Canadian flag was first raised on Parliament Hill. Let all of us renew our commitment to show our flag like never before, and stand united as Canadians towards building a better country and a better planet.

As Canadians, let us use this moment in history to regain our sense of patriotism and pride in our flag, our country and most of all the values that we as Canadians overall share amongst ourselves and with the rest of the world, including respect, compassion, democracy, diversity and social justice.

Like millions of today’s fellow Canadians, I was not born in Canada, nor was I even born when this flag was first flown on Parliament Hill. But like so many others, my family chose to immigrate to this country, because of what the maple leaf stood for and because of the lived values that our family would become part of, once we became Canadian residents and then citizens. Today, I am honoured and proud to be Canadian, and serve both our community and our country.

There are those who would like us to believe that this country is broken, or that we no longer want to be a true north, strong and free sovereign nation. Quite simply – they are wrong. Like the world around us which constantly evolves, we as a nation and as Canadians evolve as well, responding to the challenges put before us – some easier to address, some more complex. But I know that so many of you share my sentiments when I say this country has been, is, and always will be worth celebrating and worth fighting for because as Canadians we know we have something special here, and we won’t let anyone take that away from us – from either within or external to our borders.

Let’s show our pride today on this, the 60th anniversary of Canadian Flag Day, and throughout this Family Day weekend. I encourage you this weekend to wear some red and go down to City Hall and take a picture with the giant Canadian flag on the ice in the square, with the Victoria Park Clock Tower and its Canadian flag in the background, or wherever you can take a picture with yourself showing our flag. Tonight Carl Zehr Square will also be lit red to celebrate this special anniversary. Please share any pictures on social media with, #KitchenerLovesCanadaFlag60Yrs.

Today, more than ever, and this entire year, including on Canada Day, July 1st, I invite fellow Kitchener residents and all Canadians to fly, wear and display our maple leaf with pride, knowing it is the respected emblem that both unites us as Canadians and earns us respect around the world.

Happy Canadian Flag Day everyone!

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic on behalf of Kitchener Council

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Media contact:
Shannon Weber
Chief of Staff
shannon.weber@kitchener.ca