Windsor to put up Canadian flag

By Julia Poehlman

 

A flag will soon be flying on Windsor’s riverfront, with credit given to members of the Great Canadian Flag Project.

The 60-by-30 foot Canadian flag will fly 120 feet high at Dieppe Park on Ouellette Avenue. The flag could be flying by Canada Day if the group, the Great Canadian Flag Project, raises the $300,000 they need.

On Feb. 17, the group, which includes Mike Beale, Peter Hrastovec, Ann Arquette, Mary Baruth and David Woodall received the okay from City Council to start fundraising. Over the course of four days they have collected pledges totalling just under $80,000.

Beale said one of the reasons they are putting up a flag on the riverfront is because it will fly on Canadian – U.S. the border.

“We live on an international border between Detroit and Windsor and that is a major commerce route. It is the most important border crossing for commerce between Canada and the United States, so why not celebrate who we are,” said Beale.

Beale also said he wants to put up the flag because it represents Canada.

“The other aspect of the flag is it is a celebration of who we are as immigrants. This country, every one of us at one point or another or members of our families were immigrants,” said Beale. “We celebrate and honour those who brought us and established are families here in Canada.”

Beale said The Great Canadian Flag Project is based on an idea from of the late Windsorite Thomas McDade. In 1979, McDade proposed his plan to City Council but unfortunately did not take off. Beale said McDade’s daughter, Karen, is the group’s inspiration.

“We do this work for Karen in honour her father,” said Beale who is confident about raising the $300,000 in time to raise the flag for Canada Day.

“It speaks to the goodness of the community, the groundswell of support, people want to help,” said Beale. “It would be really tragic to me personally if we don’t make the July 1st date because it’s Canada Day. This year is the 50^th anniversary of the Canadian flag. Part of the dedication ceremony that we want to include would be the swearing in of new Canadians.”

Cheryl Poupard, 38, and Mia Coppola, 19, are two Windsor residents who said they think the project is a great idea.

“We should be proud of our country and that’s a good way to show it,” said Poupard. “I’m proud to be Canadian.”

Similarly, Coppola said Windsorites are pleased to be Canadians.

“I think it’s a good idea because it is at the border. It shows us who we are and that we are proud to be Canadian,” said Coppola.

Rather than members of the group being recognized, Beale said Dieppe Park is where people honour those who are fighting and those who have fought and fallen for Canada.

“The names of the committee that are doing this, our names must fade away, only the names we honour remain,” said Beale.

For those who are interested in donating to the Great Canadian Flag Project can contact Mike Beale at 519-735-4633 or [email protected].