Policy

Policy 9510 - Flags And The National Anthem “O Canada”

1. FLAGS AND THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

1.1.

The Surrey Board of Education believes:

a)	The flags of Canada and British Columbia, and the national anthem “O Canada,” are important parts of the celebration of Canada as a country and British Columbia as a province.
b)	The School Act outlines the requirements for the displaying the Canadian and British Columbian flags, and the singing of the National Anthem, at schools.

2. SCHOOLS

2.1.

The Ministry of Education recognizes the importance of flags and the national anthem as part of Canadian tradition. Sections 5 (10) and 5 (11) of the School Act, specifically state: "

(10)

The principal of a school shall

a)	Subject to the approval of the board, establish a program of school assemblies to be conducted at appropriate times during the school year,
b)	Ensure that assemblies are held at least three times in a school year, including the school day immediately preceding Remembrance Day,
c)	Ensure that the Canadian national anthem shall be sung at each school assembly, and
d)	Ensure that the Canadian flag and the British Columbia flag be displayed at each school while in session.

(11)

School assemblies referred to in subsection (10) shall be established to promote loyalty to the Crown, respect for Canadian traditions, laws, institutions and human values, and shall include observation of occasions of historic or current importance to Canada and the Common wealth, as well as appropriate references to the Canadian flag.”

3. DISTRICT SITES

3.1.	The flags of Canada and British Columbia will be displayed at district sites.

4. REFERENCES AND RELATED DOCUMENTS

4.1.	School Act
4.2.	Procedure 9501.1 Flags at School and District Sites

5. AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY

5.1.	Superintendent of Schools

6. HISTORY

Revised:	2025-06-11 2005-06-30
Approved:	1997-01-09