New Westminster council rejects plan to remove U.S. flag from Queens Park Arena​on March 24, 2025 at 10:16 pm

An American flag hanging from the rafters at Queens Park Arena in New Westminster must come down, say two New Westminster city councillors.

On Monday night, Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas plan to ask for removal of the flag.

Fontaine said he was volunteering during a minor hockey tournament at the city-owned arena when he noticed something: “Everyone was singing O Canada, and had to look toward the Canadian flag in the rafters. There was a huge American flag right next to it.”

Fontaine said the President Donald Trump administration tariffs and talk of annexing Canada as the 51st state have been divisive, and many constituents have asked him what he as an elected official, and what the City of New Westminster, plan to do about it.

“Times have changed,” said Fontaine. “Removal of the flag is symbolic. It means sending a message in a very Canadian way: quietly,” said Fontaine.

In February, New Westminster announced that staff were to eliminate non-essential travel to the United States and find Canadian alternatives for the city’s purchases.

“This is about taking a Canada-first approach,” said Minhas. “We are proud Canadians in New Westminster.”

The move comes during a time of heightened nationalism in Canada and a countrywide pushback against U.S. president Donald Trump’s threats to make Canada the 51st state and his trade war.

Sports events like the 4 Nations Face Off in February became flashpoints in the bitter dispute, with Canadians booing the national anthems of their U.S. rivals. Wayne Gretzky became a target of Canadian ire when he failed to wear a Canadian jersey. A statue of Gretzky in Edmonton was smeared with feces last week.

On March 16, city of Mississauga, Ontario, was the first major Canadian city to announce it was pulling American flags from its sporting venues. Olivia Chow, the mayor of Toronto followed suit, saying she supported the removal of U.S. flags “wherever possible.”

A City of Vancouver spokesperson said there are no U.S. flags on any civic properties in the city.

The City of Cranbrook removed U.S. flags from its entrance arches and Western Financial Place following complaints from the public. The city said the flag contravened an existing flag policy.

Minhas said the New Westminster flag motion will need four votes to be added as new business to Monday night’s agenda, and a majority vote to get approval.

Minhas said the move is in line with the city’s removal of symbols of its colonial past that no longer reflect the city’s growing and diverse communities, like the Royal City moniker.

“Times are changing, and it has become clear it is time to remove the American flag,” said Minhas.

dryan@postmedia.com