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Part of Protocol Office, procedures and ceremony

Flag etiquette

Flag etiquette reflects long-standing Canadian customs to position flags at provincial events or ceremonies as symbols of honour and pride.

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Protocol Office, procedures and ceremony

Overview

The manner in which the federal and provincial flags may be displayed in Alberta is established by standard practice. You are encouraged to become familiar with the protocols for the correct use of flags for display. For example, as a standard practice each flag must have its own pole, and flags flown together must be the same sizes.

Protocol for flag displays

When the provincial flag is flown in display with one or more other flags, the order of precedence is:

  1. Canadian flag
  2. other national flag (for example, visit of ambassador or high commissioner)
  3. Alberta flag
  4. Others

Specific guidelines for displaying the Alberta flag are available.

Flags at half-mast

Flags are flown at the half-mast position as a sign of mourning or in observance of a special day. To half-mast a flag, the flag is brought to the half-mast position by first raising it to the masthead and immediately lowering it slowly to the half-mast position. The flag should be raised again to the top before lowering for the day.

  • The Alberta Protocol Office issues public notices to stakeholders on half-masting occasions and suggested duration of observance.

Flags shall be flown at half-mast at all Government of Alberta sites from the notice of death to sunset on the day of the funeral on the death of:

  • the Sovereign
  • immediate members of the Royal Family
  • current and former Governors General
  • current and former Prime Ministers
  • current and former Lieutenant Governors of Alberta
  • current and former Premiers of Alberta

Half-masting exceptions

All flags in a set should be flown at half-mast. However, the lieutenant governor's personal flag is normally flown at the Legislature Building and at his/her residence. It's never lowered to half-mast.

According to rules established by the federal government under the Holidays Act, the Canadian flag must always be flown at full mast on Victoria Day in May and Canada Day on July 1, unless the flag is at half-mast for the death of: a British monarch; the Canadian prime minister; or the Governor General.

The flag must be flown at full mast on the day a new monarch is proclaimed.

Annual half-masting days

  • National Day of Remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 9): The flags at the Legislature Building and at McDougall Centre are lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset.
  • National Day of Mourning for Those Who Have Suffered and Died in the Workplace (April 28): The flags at all Government of Alberta locations are lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset.
  • National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism (June 23): The flags at the Legislature Building and at McDougall Centre are lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset.
  • Firefighters’ National Memorial Day (Second Sunday in September): The flags at the Legislature Building and at McDougall Centre are lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset.
  • Police and Peace Officers National Memorial Day (Last Sunday in September): The flags at the Legislature Building, McDougall Centre, Justice and Solicitor General Training Academy, all provincial courthouses and correctional institutions across the Province of Alberta are lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset.
  • National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (September 30): The flags at all Government of Alberta locations are lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset.
  • Remembrance Day (November 11): The flags at all Government of Alberta locations are lowered to half-mast from 11 am to sunset.
  • National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (December 6): The flags at the Legislature Building and at McDougall Centre are lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset.

Previous half-masting notices

Previous Alberta Protocol Office half-masting notices starting from April 2022, can be found below.

  • View Alberta government half-masting notices

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Tuesday, October 22, 2024.

    Occasion: To mark the date of the funeral honouring the late The Honourable Dr. Stanley B. Cassin, former member of the Legislative Assembly, who passed away on October 2, 2024.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Monday, September 30, 2024.

    Occasion: To mark the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

    Masting locations: All Government of Alberta buildings across the Province of Alberta.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Sunday, September 29, 2024

    Occasion: To mark Police and Peace Officers National Memorial Day.

    Masting locations: Alberta Legislature Building, McDougall Centre, Training Academy, all provincial court houses and correctional institutions across the Province of Alberta.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

    Occasion:  To mark the Firefighters' National Memorial Day.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

    Occasion:  To mark the National Day of Mourning for all those who have suffered and died in the workplace (Worker’s Mourning Day).

    Masting locations: All Government of Alberta buildings.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

    Occasion:  To mark the National Day of Remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary. 

    Masting period: From Thursday, February 29 until sunset on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

    Occasion:: To recognize the passing of the late Right Honourable Martin Brian Mulroney, P.C, C.C., G.O.Q., former Prime Minister of Canada.

    Masting locations: All Government of Alberta Buildings across the Province of Alberta.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

    Occasion:: To mark the date of the funeral honouring the late The Honourable Mr. Guy C. Boutilier, former member of the Legislative Assembly, who passed away on March 8, 2024.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Wednesday, December 6 2023.

    Occasion: To mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Saturday, November 25, 2023.

    Occasion: To mark the date of the private service honouring the late The Honourable Mr. Peter Elzinga, former member of the Legislative Assembly, who passed away on November 8, 2023.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

    When half-masting occurs at or near a cenotaph or another place where remembrance is being observed, the half-masting can occur at 11:00 a.m. (or according to the prescribed order of service) until sunset.

    Occasion: To mark Remembrance Day and honour the memory of all Canadians who have served their country in time of war.

    Masting locations: All Government of Alberta Buildings.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

    Occasion: To mark the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

    Masting locations: All Government of Alberta buildings across the Province of Alberta.

    Masting period: Immediately (September 23) until sunset on Friday, September 29, 2023
    Note: flags will return to half-mast on the day of Constable O'Brien's funeral, date to be determined.

    Occasion: In memory of the fallen RCMP Officer, Constable Rick O'Brien who was killed in the line of duty on Friday, September 22, 2023.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Sunday, September 24, 2023

    Occasion: To mark Police and Peace Officers National Memorial Day.

    Masting locations: Alberta Legislature Building, McDougall Centre, Training Academy, all provincial court houses and correctional institutions across the Province of Alberta.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Tuesday, September 19, 2023

    Occasion: To mark the date of the funeral service honouring the late The Honourable Mr. Denis Adrien Herard, former Member of the Legislative Assembly, who passed away on September 6, 2023.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Saturday, September 16, 2023

    Occasion: To mark the date of the memorial service honouring the late The Honourable Neville Sydney Roper, former Member of the Legislative Assembly, who passed away on August 28, 2023.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Tuesday, September 12, 2023

    Occasion: The date of the celebration of life, honouring the late The Honourable Mr. David Russell, former Member of the Legislative Assembly, who passed away on August 17, 2023.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Sunday, September 10, 2023

    Occasion: To mark the date of Firefighters’ National Memorial Day.

    Masting locations:  Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Sunday, September 10, 2023

    Occasion: To mark the date of Firefighters’ National Memorial Day.

    Masting locations:  Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Saturday, July 22, 2023

    Occasion: To mark the date of the celebration of life honouring the late The Honourable Kenneth Lemke, former member of the Legislative Assembly, who passed away on July 14, 2023.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Friday, June 23, 2023

    Occasion: To mark the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Saturday, April 29, 2023

    Occasion: To mark the date of the memorial service honouring the late The Honourable Anthony Stephen Stiles, former member of the Legislative Assembly, who passed away on April 10, 2023.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Friday, April 28, 2023

    Occasion:To mark the National Day of Mourning for all those who have suffered and died in the workplace (Worker's Mourning Day).

    Masting locations: All Government of Alberta buildings.

    Masting period: From Monday, April 10, 2023 until sunset on Thursday, April 20, 2023.

    Occasion: In memory of the fallen RCMP Officer, Constable Harvinder (Harvey) Singh Dhami, who was killed in the line of duty.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary and at all provincial buildings on Thursday, April 20, 2023 on the date of the funeral.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset at the Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary on Sunday, April 9, 2023.

    Occasion: To mark the National Day of Remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From Thursday, March 16, 2023 until sunset on Monday, March 27, 2023.

    Occasion: In memory of the 2 fallen Edmonton Police Officers, Const. Travis Jordan and Const. Brett Ryan, who were killed in the line of duty on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

    Masting locations: The Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary from March 16, 2023 to March 27, 2023. All provincial government buildings on March 27, 2023.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Friday, January 20, 2023.

    Occasion: To mark the date of the funeral service honouring the late The Honourable Mr. Melvin P.J. ‘Mike’ Cardinal, former Member of the Legislative Assembly, who passed away on January 12, 2023.

    Masting locations: Alberta Legislature Building.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.

    Occasion: To mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

    Masting locations: Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Monday, December 5, 2022.

    Occasion: The date of the Celebration of Life, honouring the late The Honourable Mr. Peter Trynchy, a former Member of the Legislative Assembly, who passed away on November 21, 2022.

    Masting locations: Alberta Legislature Building.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Friday, November 11, 2022.

    Occasion: To mark Remembrance Day and honour the memory of all Canadians who have served their country in time of war.

    Masting locations: All Government of Alberta locations.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on November 8, 2022.

    Occasion: To honour Indigenous People who fell in service of Canada’s military or peacekeeping operations.

    Masting locations: Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Friday, September 30, 2022.

    Occasion: To mark the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

    Masting locations: All Government of Alberta locations.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on September 25, 2022.

    Occasion: To mark Police and Peace Officers National Memorial Day.

    Masting locations: Legislature Building, McDougall Centre, Justice and Solicitor General Training Academy, all provincial courthouses, and correctional institutions across the Province of Alberta.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Sunday, September 11, 2022.

    Occasion: To mark Firefighters' National Memorial Day.

    Masting locations: Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From Thursday, September 8, 2022 to sunset Monday, September 19, 2022.

    Occasion: To mark the passing of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

    Masting locations: All Government of Alberta locations.

    Masting period: From September 5, 2022 until sunset on September 6, 2022.

    Occasion: To mark the tragic deaths in Saskatchewan.

    Masting locations: Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Thursday, June 23, 2022.

    Occasion: To mark the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism.

    Masting locations: At the Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Thursday, April 28, 2022.

    Occasion: To mark the Day of Mourning (Worker’s Mourning Day).

    Masting locations: At all Government of Alberta buildings.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

    Occasion: To mark the National Day of Remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

    Masting locations: At the Alberta Legislature Building and McDougall Centre in Calgary.

    Masting period: From sunrise until sunset on Saturday, April 9, 2022.

    Occasion: To mark the date of the Celebration of Life, honouring the late Mr. Dennis M. Barton, former Member of the Legislative Assembly, who passed away February 27, 2022.

National Flag of Canada half-masting notices are also available online from the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Contact us

Phone: 780-422-1542
Email: [email protected]

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