Residents of Alberta Town Approve Neutrality Bylaw Banning Rainbow Flags, Crosswalks

People walk across a rainbow crosswalk in Calgary on Aug. 18, 2019. The Canadian Press/Dave Chidley

Residents of Barrhead, Alta., have voted in favour of a neutrality bylaw for municipal crosswalks and flags, which would ban Pride flags and rainbow crosswalks on town property.

A plebiscite was held on Dec. 2, after a community group organized a petition to address the neutrality of flagpoles and crosswalks. Barrhead council gave the bylaw’s first reading on Sept. 30. Council opted to hold a plebiscite on the issue, rather than move to second and third readings.

A total of 653 votes were cast in support of a neutrality bylaw to maintain a white ladder pattern for crosswalks within the municipality and limit the types of flags that can be raised, according to the town website. Another 492 votes were against the bylaw, representing 43 percent of total votes cast.

Members of the community group behind the petition said they were happy with the result.

“We’re relieved, grateful. It’s the outcome that we had hoped for, but regardless, we believe it was the right thing to do, even if the outcome would have been different,” Ard Doornbos told The Epoch Times in an interview.

“It’s our aim to continue trying to be citizens that build others up, and it makes for it a pleasant place to be,” he said. “We believe that the result of this vote is going to help that.”

Doornbos told The Epoch Times in June the petition was started after rainbow crosswalks were painted in the town in recent years, which he said began creating unnecessary “divisiveness” in the community. Council documents show that three vandalism incidents involving a rainbow crosswalk were reported after it was painted in 2023. Before the plebiscite, Barrhead council had approved another rainbow crosswalk in 2024.

Barrhead council has confirmed it will now move ahead with adoption of the neautrality bylaw during a special meeting. The bylaw will pass second and third reading before being enacted, the website said.

New Rules

The new guidelines stipulate that only national flags, Alberta’s provincial flag, or the Town of Barrhead flag can be displayed on municipal flagpoles and crosswalks must be painted in a white-striped pattern.

No crosswalks or flags supporting political, social, or religious movements or commercial entities will be permitted under the bylaw. The bylaw also does not allow for any grandfathering of existing crosswalks or flags that contravene it.

“The Neutrality Bylaw will shape future practices, ensuring town-owned crosswalks and flagpoles will remain free from displays of political, religious, social, and commercial messaging,” the town’s website said.

The municipality will also remove any existing decorative crosswalks and flags from town-owned flagpoles, including at the town legion.

Changes will be communicated to residents, organizations, and community groups, the website said.

“The Town of Barrhead remains committed to fostering community dialogue and will work collaboratively with residents to address any questions or concerns during the implementation process,” the website reads.

A town spokesperson told The Epoch Times in an email that the bylaw will not impact flags or imagery on personal or business property. They also said it will not impact seasonal decorations or lights on town property, or during parades and other events. 

“The results demonstrate that approximately one-third of eligible voters took part in this important decision, ensuring a larger representation of the community had a say in the matter,” Mayor Dave McKenzie said in a Dec. 3 release.

Nearby Neutral Municipality

The Barrhead group received support from a similar citizen group located in the nearby community of Westlock.

That group successfully petitioned its municipal government for a neutrality bylaw that prohibits rainbow crosswalks and non-governmental flags.

Westlock council also sent the issue to a plebiscite, resulting in the bylaw’s approval earlier this year with 663 in favour and 639 against. An existing rainbow crosswalk between the Westlock Legion and the town hall has since been removed.

Ontario’s Lakeshore municipality, near Windsor, revised its policy in December 2023 to limit flags to those representing federal, provincial, or municipal governments.