Flag Half-Masting

Font Size: + -

Flags at municipal buildings are lowered to half-mast to mark moments of loss, remembrance, and respect. This page explains when and why flags are lowered in our community, including national and provincial observances, local decisions, and requests for recognition.

Annual Days for Half-Masting

Flags will be flown at half-mast annually to commemorate the following national solemn occasions:

Vimy Ridge Day (April 9)
Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace (April 28)
National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism (June 23)
Firefighters' National Memorial Day (Second Sunday in September)
Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day (Last Sunday in September)
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30)
Remembrance Day (November 11)
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (December 6)

Half-Masting for Periods of Mourning for a Death of an Official

Flags will be flown at half-mast at all Town facilities to mark periods of official mourning upon the death of:

The Sovereign;
A Member of the Royal Family;
The Governor General of Canada, or a former Governor General;
The Prime Minister of Canada, or a former Prime Minister;
The Leader of His Majesty's Loyal Opposition, Parliament of Canada;
The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta or former Lieutenant Governor;
The Premier of Alberta or former Premier of Alberta;
The Leader of the Opposition, Legislative Assembly of Alberta;
A local Member of Parliament, or a local Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta;
The Mayor or former Mayor of the Town of Taber;
A current Councillor of the Town of Taber;
A Reeve or former Reeve of the Municipal District of Taber (in consideration of our shared municipal building);
A current Councillor of the Municipal District of Taber (in consideration of our shared municipal building);
A former Councillor of the Town of Taber who served for more than 10 years;
A Taber Police Service Member who dies in the line of duty;
A Taber Fire Department Member who dies in the line of duty;
A resident of the Town of Taber, who is a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, killed while deployed on operations;
Other dignitaries or persons as deemed appropriate by the Government of Canada, Province of Alberta, or Town of Taber.

For the death of officials, flags shall be flown at half-mast from the date the notice of death is received until sunset on the date of the funeral for the individual, unless otherwise established by the appropriate federal or provincial authorities.

Half-Masting for Periods of Mourning (Not Annual)

Flags may be flown at half-mast to mark occurrences that meet the following criteria:

A national period of mourning as observed by the Government of Canada;
A provincial period of mourning as observed by the Province of Alberta;
A municipal period of mourning as enacted by Council of the Town of Taber;
Other periods of mourning as declared by the Government of Canada, Province of Alberta, or Town of Taber;
Events that spur the Government of Canada to lower the National Flag of Canada.
Events that spur the Government of Alberta to lower the Provincial Flag.

In the case of national or provincial causes for the half-masting of flags, the duration shall be established by the appropriate federal or provincial protocol offices.

In the case of municipal causes for half-masting, the duration shall be established by the Town of Taber.

Cenotaph Flags

Flag Protocol Policy & Procedure