Addington Highlands Treads Lightly Into F Carney Flag Debate Territory

Jeff Green | Jun 12, 2025

At the tail end of an otherwise routine meeting of Addington Highlands Council on June 3, Councillor Ken Hook raised an unusual issue under “New Business”.

“I have an issue that kind of bothers me in the community, and I thought I'd discuss it with Council and get your ideas or support.”

He then read a written statement about the prevalence of  “F- Carney” flags that he said are “being flown in different places in our community”.

He said that some people find these offensive in our community, concerned that “it is a form of profanity” and Hook said that the flags reflect a negativity in a community that is otherwise attempting to promote a positive image to visitors and locals as well.

“I also find that it is an insult to the office of Prime Minister.”

He suggested that Council send a letter to the newly re-elected Conservative MP, Shelley Kramp-Neuman, “asking her to agree that this kind of display of these F- flags is not appropriate in our communities, and seeing if she would support saying that it is not appropriate.”

He also said that, in the same letter, Council should congratulate Ms Kramp-Neuman on her appointment as shadow minister for Canada-US trade relations, which he said was quite an achievement.

Deputy Reeve Tony Fritsch said he agreed with Hook's position completely. 

“There is no place for them in our community, they don't do our community any good.”

Councillor Helen Yanch said she doesn't like to see those flags either, and it gets tiresome.

“However there is a right to have freedom of speech, and to express yourself in public, and a lot of people say using the f-word is better than using the Lord's name in vain.”

“We are not talking about trying to force people to take them down, but maybe if the MP takes a stand, some people, when approached, will see fit to remove the flags, not all, but maybe a few,” said Hook.

“I agree, I don't like the signs either” said Councillor Kirby Thompson, "but if you ask these people to take those flags down, the name Carney or Trudeau may be replaced with yours.”

“It doesn't matter whose name is on there, it could be Poilievre or anyone, put up an I love Poilievre flag, nobody would have a problem with that. It's just the negativity.”

In the end, Council voted unanimously to send the letter to MP Kramp-Neuman asking her to make a public statement against the flags.

Mini-Excavator Purchase

Council approved the purchase of a Kubota Mini-Excavator from Hartington Equipment for $171,700 plus tax. The price was within the budgeted amount of $200,000 (tax included) for a mini-excavator.

Streetlight in Kaladar could be 3 years away

In response to a question from Councillor Yanch about the status of the Ministry of Transportation plan to make changes to the Hwy. 7 and Hwy. 41 intersection at Kaladar, and install a stoplight at the same time.

“It is hard to say for sure, but the last time I talked to the MTO, they said it was the 2028 timeframe they were looking at for that project, but it all depends on money and priorities,” said Public Works Manager Brett Reavie.

Truck Rodeo competition – Reavie said that a truck rodeo is coming up on June 18 in Bancroft, for municipal drivers to test their skill against other municipal drivers, and two of the road crew staff are interested in taking on the challenge, and will be heading over to compete.

Bylaw Enforcement

Chief Administrative Officer Christine Reed reported that she has been in touch with North Frontenac and other townships about bylaw enforcement services, to supplement the enforcement efforts of the township's Chief Building Official/Bylaw Officer. She recommended that Addington Highlands contract out a portion of bylaw enforcement to Frontenac Municipal Law Enforcement, the company that serves North Frontenac, to deal with noise bylaw, yard bylaw, disposal of garbage, and the zoning bylaw, on an as needed basis. There is $25,000 in the 2025 budget for contracted bylaw service. A bylaw to appoint Frontenac Municipal Law Enforcement will come to Council at the next meeting.