Procedure for the Lowering of Flags to Half-mast

Contact Officer: Office of the Principal (Relationship and Protocol Manager)

Purpose

This procedure clarifies when relevant flags on campus are to be lowered to half-mast and the duration and date of half-masting when applicable.

Procedure

Flags lowered to half-mast in the event of a Queen’s (or applicable Kingstonian) death shall be lowered before 8:00 a.m. on the day of the funeral, or celebration of life where applicable. Where neither a funeral or celebration of life are to be held, an appropriate date will be identified by the Office of the Principal, taking into account any particular sensitivities with regards to the family of the deceased.  Flags are to be returned to full-mast at sunset, unless other arrangements have been made at the discretion of the Office of the Principal and in co-ordination with Physical Plant Services FIXIT.

Mandatory flag-lowering of the National Flag of Canada shall be carried out as per the timelines directed in guideline for the individual death, or particular commemoration, as per the Canadian Government Rules for half-masting.

National Flag of Canada

1. Half-masting of the Canadian Flag (above Theological Hall) is mandatory in the event of the following deaths, as guided by the Government of Canada rules:

• The Sovereign, the Governor General, or the Prime Minister;
• Sovereign's spouse, the Heir to the Throne or the Heir of the Heir to the Throne;
• Former Governor General;
• Former Prime Minister;
• Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

2. Half-masting shall occur on the following dates, as identified by the Government of Canada:

• April 28, Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace (Workers' Mourning Day);
• June 23, National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism;
• Second Sunday in September, Firefighters’ National Memorial Day, unless Half-masting occurs near the place where a memorial is being observed, then Half-masting can occur according to the prescribed order of service, until sunset;
• Last Sunday in September, Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day, unless Half-masting occurs near the place where a memorial is being observed, then Half-masting can occur according to the prescribed order of service, until sunset;
• November 11, Remembrance Day;
• December 6, National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

3. Additionally, half-masting will occur if initiated by the Government of either Canada or the Province of Ontario.

Provincial Flag of Ontario

In the event of the death of the Premier of Ontario, other Provincial Government Ministers, or the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Provincial flag of Ontario is to be flown at half-mast from Ontario Hall.

Queen's Tricolour Flag

The Queen’s Tricolour Flag (outside the John Deutsch University Centre) shall be lowered to half-mast upon the death of one of the following:

• Principal or former Principal;
• Members and former members of the Board of Trustees;
• Members and former members of the University Council;
• Recipients of Queen’s Honorary Degrees;
• Any current student of Queen’s University during term time. (Current student deaths occurring outside term time will be decided on a case-by-case basis);
• All active members of the academic and support staff;
• Retired academic and support staff (at the discretion of the Principal), when a direct request is made, or when the death comes to the attention of the Office of the Principal*.

*It should be noted that the University is not always notified of the death of retirees.

The Queen’s Tricolour Flag may be lowered to half-mast upon the notification of the death of the following:

• Presidents of Ontario universities
• The Mayor or Councillors of the City of Kingston
• Kingstonians who have made an extraordinary contribution to Queen’s
• Distinguished citizens of Kingston (the University would liaise with the City Hall for guidance in such cases).