The Alberta government says new legislation about which flags can be displayed at schools will take effect in January.
The new Flag Display Regulation establishes what the province says are “clear and consistent rules” to ensure that “learning environments remain focused on student learning and success.”
“If there’s a type of flag that has a political messaging or ideological statements or things of that nature, it simply wouldn’t be permitted because its primary purpose, ultimately, would be to advance a social or political cause,” Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides told CBC News in an interview.
“We want to ensure that that’s kept out of the classroom, and students are allowed to form their own opinions on controversial topics,” he said.
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Under the new rules, school boards are now required to fly the Alberta and Canada flags outside school buildings during the school year.
The Franco-Albertan flag, civic and municipal flags, and the Royal Union Flag can also be flown on specified days.
“These, of course, are important symbols that our students learn about in social studies class,” Nicolaides said. “We want our students to develop a strong sense of civic identity, participate in elections, volunteer, contribute to the development of society, and these symbols help remind them of that.”
Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides pictured in a file photo. When it comes to the new flag rules, he says, ‘Any request for an exemption cannot be used to advance a particular social or political cause.’ (CBC)
Classrooms will be able to put up temporary indoor displays directly related to an approved course or program of study.
And First Nations, Metis Settlements General Council, Métis settlements and foreign national flags can be displayed inside a school during official visits, celebrations, ceremonial occasions or specified days.
For any other flags, school boards may submit written requests to the Ministry of Education and Childcare.
“Any request for an exemption cannot be used to advance a particular social or political cause,” Nicolaides said.
It must also be representative of the school population and community context, part of existing physical infrastructure, reflective of school identity, associated with a commemorative day or observance, or part of a school event, the government says.
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Wing Li, communications director for Support Our Students Alberta, challenged the province’s classification of the changes as “clear and consistent rules,” arguing that they instead create more red tape.
“To me, consistency is a code word for control,” she said. “It’s a code word for dominance and for restrictions, so I don’t actually see any positive.”
Li believes the policy is driven by political ideology to restrict pride and transgender flags.
“I see this affecting the LGBTQ communities, especially youth,” Li said. “I think it’s very heartbreaking to see that these children will not see the celebrations of who they are or who they are trying to find and discover in their journeys.”
Alberta Teachers’ Association president Jason Schilling said these are new regulations “that nobody asked for.”
“It just creates a bunch of other issues that teachers don’t need to be dealing with right now, school administrators don’t need to be dealing with right now in their classrooms,” he said.
Amanda Chapman, the NDP’s shadow minister of education, dismissed the new rules in a Friday afternoon statement.
“Albertans are worried about overcrowded classrooms and increasingly complex student needs, not policing flags. None of the UCP’s culture war nonsense helps a single student or teacher,” she said.
“The conditions that led to last year’s historic teacher strike still exist in Alberta’s classrooms. Albertans haven’t forgotten that this government used the notwithstanding clause to override teachers’ Charter rights, then used it three more times in the same legislative session.”
“Instead of picking fights, the UCP should focus on giving students, teachers, and schools the resources they need,” Chapman said.
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The regulation takes effect Jan. 4 and applies to all schools in Alberta.
Nicolaides said implementation of the new law was delayed to give school boards more time to navigate the changes and share their feedback.
He said the province consulted with school boards to understand unique circumstances, such as the specific case of a school mural painted with flags representing different nationalities.
“We wouldn’t want them to have to adjust or change that mural,” Nicolaides said. “Some of those anecdotal pieces and unique circumstances were helpful pieces of feedback and information so that we can draft the regulation in such a way that it wouldn’t create unnecessary challenges.”
College of Alberta School Superintendents president Reagan Weeks expressed support for the changes in a statement Friday afternoon.
“Our education system is strengthened when system education leaders implement regulations in a manner that ensures our schools remain places where every student is treated with dignity, respect and a strong sense of belonging,” she said.
The new rules apply to physical and digital reproductions on school property, including buildings, grounds, equipment, furnishings, websites and social media accounts, but do not apply to individuals or their personal items.
