Flags & Lightings

Community Flag Raisings

Community groups and organizations may request that a community flag be flown at City Hall. Those wishing to submit a request, must complete the Community Flag Request Form.

If a ceremony is requested alongside the flag raising, requestors need to contact the Special Events team to rent Civic Square in front of Cambridge City Hall via the Rental Request Form. You must submit a Special Event Permit Form for any flag request including the following:

  • Raising of a community flag on a time or date outside of City of Cambridge business hours;
  • City equipment is required (microphone, tables, chairs, podium, electrical hookup);
  • More than 10 people will be in attendance; and/or
  • A Member of Council is asked to attend.

Requests will be considered on a first come first served basis and is at the discretion of the City Clerk. Should the community flagpole not be available on your chosen date you may be given the option of an alternate date. The maximum days for community flag request duration is three days. 

Requirements and Criteria: 

  • Must be non-political 
  • Must be non-denominational
  • Must be non-commercial
  • Must not be contrary to City policies or by-laws
  • Must be of direct significance to the City of Cambridge
  • Must not include messages or be from organizations or groups that espouse hatred, discrimination, violence, intolerance or racism
  • Must not be for health-related causes
  • Other than where specifically outlined in this criteria, flag raisings will be approved once per calendar year.

Please note that if flags regularly flown at City Hall are at half-mast, the approved community flag will also be flown at half-mast.

Flags at Half-Mast

The City of Cambridge lowers flags to half-mast as a symbol of mourning or commemoration.

The City of Cambridge flies the flag at half-mast for the following occasions:

  • On the death of His Majesty the King or members of the Royal Family
  • On the death of a past or present Canadian Prime Minister
  • On the death of past or present Federal, Provincial or Municipal elected officials
  • On the death of past or present Mayors or Members of City Council
  • On the death of current City employees
  • As directed by the Governor General of Canada or Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
  • Under specific circumstances as determined by the Mayor and City Council or City Manager
  • International Holocaust Day
  • Remembrance Day 

Community Lighting Requests

The City of Cambridge currently offers opportunities to show support and partnership with the community through lighting city assets such as the ‘CAMBRIDGE’ sign at City Hall, or the Craig’s Crossing Pedestrian Bridge in Galt in specific colours. These requests are often submitted in observance of various days of significance, holidays, charitable organizations, or awareness campaigns. Community requests are approved on a first-come, first-served basis and are approved on a case-by-case basis. 

Approval for External Requests:

  • Must be a registered charity or not-for-profit and is not a commercial or business operation. 
  • Must have a presence in Canada.
  • Must be for health-related causes, the event/activity must be aligned with Health Canada’s Calendar of Health Promotion Days or it can be reasonably determined that the cause/event/activity could significantly impact the community. 
  • The group/organization’s core values must not conflict with the City’s core values, vision or strategic goals or do not adversely impact on the City’s identity.
  • Must foster a spirit of community and contribute to enriching the quality of life in Cambridge. 
  • Must not be in conflict with any applicable laws, City by-laws or policies. 
  • Must not advance the political interest of any particular party or group. 
  • Must not have the potential to incite violence and hatred.
  • Must not present demeaning or derogatory portrayals of individuals or groups.
  • Must not be of questionable taste in style, substance or presentation method.
  • Must not minimize and/or detract from the image of the City and/or its employees. 
  • Must not be a matter that represents personal conviction.

Requests for sign lighting must be received 30 days in advance of the date(s) being requested. The maximum days for lighting request duration is three days. The City may choose to lengthen or shorten the duration as required based on completing needs or priorities. Please contact corpcomm@cambridge.ca with any questions or to make a request.