NDP calls flag protection bill 'tabloid-style politics'

NDP calls flag protection bill 'tabloid-style politics'

September 28, 2011

A Conservative bill that would make it a crime to prevent someone from flying the Canadian flag is an unnecessary distraction when Parliament has real work to do, a New Democrat critic said Wednesday.

NDP MP Charlie Angus said the private member's bill, introduced by rookie backbencher John Carmichael, is akin to "tabloid-style politics" at a time of a looming economic crisis.

"I never knew, until John told me 30 seconds ago, that we had a flag crisis of people being intimidated and not being allowed to use the flag," Angus said on CTV's Power Play.

PHOTOS

Minister of Canadian Heritage James Moore speaks to the issues regarding the rights to fly the Canada flag during a press conference in the foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Monday, Sept. 28, 2011. (Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

NDP MP Charlie Angus is seen speaking on CTV�s Power Play in Ottawa, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011.

John Carmichael, Member of Parliament for Don Valley West, joined by Heritage Minister James Moore announces Bill C-288, An Act Respecting the National Flag of Canada tabled yesterday in the House of Commons, giving Canadians new protections to ensure they have the legal right to proudly fly the Canadian flag on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011.

Angus, who is the NDP's ethics critic, also pondered why the government would support a new flag bill when it continues to buy Maple Leaf pins from China.

"People come to my office and see a flag that says ‘Made in China,' so I've actually stopped giving out the Canadian flag pins, because my constituents say they don't want to see something made in China," Angus said.

"Why is this government shipping out our jobs overseas?"

In recent weeks, the Conservatives have changed the names of the air force and navy to once again include the word "Royal." Additionally, Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, as well as all Canadian embassies abroad, are now required to display portraits of the Queen.

But the MP behind the private member's flag bill said it has been based on what Canadians want.

"I've received (a) plentiful number of emails and correspondence from Canadians who have been restricted from flying the flag," said Carmichael.

He said he's heard from veterans, military families and people living in condominiums about the issue.

"This is a symbol that Canadians have died for," he said. "To me, it's important."

Earlier, Carmichael presented his National Flag of Canada Act at a news conference and in the House of Commons.

But Liberal MP Gerry Byrne said the bill is unnecessary, and shows that the government is "trying to legislate against stupidity."

Byrne added that the bill could have all sorts of unintended consequences, such as a prisoner hanging a flag in a jail cell in order to block the view of jail guards.

"The day that the warden comes to take down that Canadian flag, that's who is going to be the prisoner's cell mate, because it's going to come with a two-year prison sentence.