New Westminster city councillors have decided to remove a U.S. flag from one of the city’s historic landmarks to spite U.S. President Donald Trump.
The motion, brought forward by Councillor Daniel Fontaine, marks the second attempt by the city council to remove the flag. A previous effort, proposed in March, was unsuccessful.
The decision comes amid the trade dispute between the Canadian government and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
While the motion describes the removal as “permanent,” Fontaine clarified there would be flexibility under certain circumstances.
“Staff are authorized to temporarily reinstall the American flag,” Fontaine explained. “If it is required to be displayed for official protocol purposes in relation to an event held at this facility.”
Fontaine noted that although he had spent many hours at the arena over the years, he had “never really noticed the American flag” until Trump returned to office.
“I’m pleased to bring this motion forward to council, and I wish it were under different circumstances,” he said. “It probably should have been brought to council years ago—but so be it.”
Built in 1930, Queen’s Park Arena once hosted the New Westminster Bruins of the Western Hockey League and remains one of the oldest medium-to-large-scale hockey arenas still in operation in British Columbia.