Flag Protocol Policy

To provide protocol for flag usage on Seneca Polytechnic’s campuses.

This policy applies to Seneca’s students, employees, dignitaries and Friends of Seneca.

A person considered to be important because of high rank or office. (e.g., the Sovereign or member of the Royal Family, a current or former head of state, Prime Minister of Canada or Premier of Ontario).

A piece of cloth or similar material, typically rectangular, affixed by one edge to a pole or rope and used as the symbol or emblem of a country, province, city, township, organization or institution or as a decoration during public festivities.

An individual connected to Seneca in some manner who is not a student, employee or retiree (e.g., such as prominent alumni, current and former Governors and major donors).

When the centre of a flag is exactly half-way down the mast. The position of a flag when flying at half-mast will depend on its size, the length of the mast and its location. When hoisted to, or lowered from half-mast position, a flag should be first raised to the masthead.

The main part of a flagpole, also referred to as the staff or flagstaff. A flag is connected to and flown from a flagpole using rope, toggles and a pulley.

A Seneca student, employee, retiree or a Friend of Seneca.

1. Flags will be flown at half-mast to acknowledge the death of a member of the Seneca Community.
2. Flags will be flown at half-mast on the following commemorative days that are recognized by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario:
   • January 29: National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia
   • April 28: Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace (Workers’ Mourning Day)
   • June 23: National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism
   • Second Sunday in September: Firefighters’ National Memorial Day
   • Last Sunday in September: Police and Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day
   • September 30: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
   • November 11: Remembrance Day
   • December 6: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
3. Flags will be flown at half-mast to mark the death of a dignitary (e.g., the Sovereign or member of the Royal Family, a current or former head of state, Prime Minister of Canada or Premier of Ontario).
4. Flags will be flown at half-mast in recognition of Friends of Seneca or other individuals or events at the discretion of the President’s Office.
5. If flags are at half-mast in accordance with this policy, they will be flown at full-mast on the following legal holidays created under the Holidays Act: Victoria Day and Canada Day.

1. Communications is responsible for requesting that Security and Emergency Management Services lower and raise flags at each campus.
2. Security and Emergency Management Services is responsible for the lowering and raising of flags at each campus.
3. Campus Services is responsible for replacing flags when in disrepair, including faded colours.

1. On each day when flags are flown at half-mast, they will be lowered before sunrise.
2. The date as to when flags are first flown at half-mast and the duration will be determined by direction of representatives from Student Services for students, Human Resources for employees and the President’s Office for Friends of Seneca in consultation with Communications.
3. To mark the death of a dignitary, flags will be flown at half-mast at the time of notification of death until sunset on the day of the funeral.

1. When flags at Seneca are at half-mast to acknowledge the death of a member of the Seneca community, a dignitary or to mark commemorative days, a notification will be provided to students and employees on MySeneca and other channels as appropriate, and through the most appropriate channel(s).

• None

• Response to a Death Within the Seneca Community

• Half-masting of the Flag Notices
• Holidays Act
• Legislative Assembly of Ontario - flags on the legislative grounds
• Rules for half-masting the National Flag of Canada

Approval Date: August 2022

Last Revision: April 2026