Enough

When not being a financial overlord in my corner office on the 53rd floor of a Bay Street skyscraper, I toil in the wee bank by the sea. It’s bucolic. Beautiful. When BMO pulled out after 111 years in the little stone palace on the main street of an iconic NS town, I bought it. The 1970s linoleum, suspended ceiling and tacky teller wickets went into the dumpster. A backhoe pulled out the ATMs along with a 3,500-pound steel night deposit safe stuffed in an historic doorway. The giant illuminated Bank of Montreal signs were yanked down and inside, the historic vaulted banking hall was restored.

It’s diminutive but mighty. Now a great crew of financial warriors works for me there and a noble pile of stones lives and breathes again.

But wait. It’s also a place of harm.

As readers will know, in the pre-dawn hours of July 1st, Cancel Canada Day activists trashed and stole the giant Peace Tower flag I’d installed on the little bank to celebrate our nation. The RCMP investigated. No leads. Sadly local politicians sided with the indigenous allies and called the flag “harmful to members of our community.”

It was a low day. A personal loss and an injustice to Canada.

But we rise again.

In the last few months not only did my corporate colleagues present me with a shiny new giant flag, but a blog dog from Ottawa sent a Canada pennant that had also graced the pinnacle of the Parliament Buildings, whose halls I once walked. Thank you.

Today I sent this letter to the poohbahs who run the town and have decided that they need to be woke politicians, rather than custodians.

On June 30th, 2021, I received this note from the Town of Lunenburg:

“Be advised that we have received a complaint regarding the Canadian Flag that you have placed on your building at 12 King Street. Out of respect for our indigenous community we would appreciate that the flag be removed for Canada Day.
 
“Out of respect for the children that lost their lives in the residential school system, we hope that you will understand that such an image, at this particular moment in time, is harmful for members of our community.”

The contents of this correspondence were shared with complainants who were activists in support of indigenous issues. In fact, I was informed of this exact message by an organizer for that group prior to receiving the Town letter.

Within 24 hours the historic and irreplaceable Peace Tower flag mounted on my property was ripped down and stolen, as Canada Day dawned. The RCMP launched an investigation which lasted several weeks. There seems little doubt that by informing “Cancel Canada Day” activists of the message above the Town enabled this criminal act. In the days and weeks that followed I corresponded with the Mayor and others on this distribution list, but received no official response. Therefore it would appear the Town condoned the act, or at least was willing to turn a blind eye.

This note is to inform you a replacement flag will be installed on 12 King Street, Lunenburg, in honour of Remembrance Day. It will be erected on November the 9th. If the Town of Lunenburg still feels the flag of Canada is “harmful to members of our community,” then this is the time to speak up.

I have no right to stand in the way of others expressing their beliefs by flying banners, erecting signs or marching in the street. By the same token, others have no right to prevent me from standing up for my beliefs or my nation, nor to display my country’s flag. The Town of Lunenburg also has no jurisdiction over this matter. Therefore I seek assurances from you that this flag, to be hoisted in memory of men and women from our community who laid down their lives for liberty and  freedom of expression will remain in place and that you will, this time, not enable those who hold an opposing view.

Respectfully, I await your response.

It’s been five months since the prime minister ordered Canada’s flag to be lowered. “indefinitely.” The decision to reverse that lies in the hands of indigenous leaders, as we atone for actions nobody alive took part in. Since Justin Trudeau went beach-walking instead of observing Reconciliation Day, we’re paying a new price. The country has been bowed, reduced, penitent, diminished and, many believe, shamed. A flag that cannot be raised – or apparently even displayed at will, on private property – symbolizes a new subservience. An endless one.

But enough. To live on your knees is not what veterans, including indigenous ones, fought and died for. If leaders fear leading, the people must.

A small town. A wee bank. In a remote corner of the nation. It must begin somewhere.

About the (dog) picture: “I hope this e-mail finds you well,” writes Georgina. “We have been fostering this handsome puppy and I was wondering if you could post his picture on your blog in an effort to find him a permanent home.  He’s 10 months old, vaccinated, neutered and ADORABLE!  He loves human beings (adults and children) and gets along with dogs. He hasn’t encountered a cat yet.  Here’s the link to the adoption application: https://form.jotform.com/pawsacrossthewater/adoption-application.