Understanding Canada’s Half-Masting Protocol

Half-masting the National Flag is a powerful and visible expression of collective mourning and respect. The procedures are clearly defined to preserve the dignity and symbolism of the gesture.

What Does it Mean to “Half-Mast” My Flag?

When flown at half-mast, the flag is positioned:

• With the centre of the flag exactly halfway down the flagpole
• On a pole with a yardarm (horizontal crosspiece), the flag is lowered relative to the yardarm, not the full mast.

When is it Appropriate to Half-Mast the Canadian Flag?

Half-masting occurs in specific circumstances, including:

National Days of Mourning

The flag is half-masted across Canada upon the death of:

• The Sovereign, the Governor General, and the Prime Minister
• The Sovereign’s family
• Former Governors General and Prime Ministers (for designated periods)
• Chief Justice of Canada and Members of the Canadian Ministry
• Lieutenant Governors
• Privy Councillors and Senators
• Members of the House of Commons

Tragic Events

In the event of national tragedies, acts of violence, or significant loss of life, the Government of Canada may direct that the flag be half-masted nationwide or in specific regions.

Annual Observances

The flag is half-masted on designated commemorative days, including:

• April 9 – Vimy Ridge Day
• April 28 — Day of Mourning for Persons Killed or Injured in the Workplace (National Day of Mourning)
• June 23 — National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism
• Second Sunday in September — Firefighters’ National Memorial Day
• Last Sunday in September — Police and Peace Officers' National Memorial Day
• September 30 — National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
• November 11 — Remembrance Day (sunrise to sunset; at cenotaphs, from 11 a.m. until sunset)
• December 6 — National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Additional observances may be announced by Canadian Heritage as circumstances require.

Where Are These Rules Applied?

Half-masting instructions apply to:

• Federal government buildings
• Military establishments
• Canadian missions abroad
• Other institutions that choose to follow federal protocol

Many provinces, municipalities, schools, and private organizations voluntarily follow these national guidelines as a sign of unity and respect.

At Flags Unlimited, we encourage all Canadians and organizations to follow the proper etiquette to ensure consistency and dignity in presentation. We suggest that you follow our social media pages for more information on when to half-mast.

Half-Mast Flag Etiquette in Canada

As a sign of respect, before lowering to half-mast, the flag is first raised fully to the top of the pole and then slowly lowered to the half-mast position. When removing the flag, it is again raised to the top before being fully lowered.

 In addition to positioning, etiquette includes:

• Ensuring the flag is in good condition and displayed properly
• Avoiding the display of damaged or faded flags
• Avoiding the display of damaged or faded flags
• Illuminating the flag if flown at night
• Never allowing the flag to touch the ground

When multiple flags are displayed, the National Flag of Canada should not be smaller than other flags and maintains precedence according to established flag protocol.

You can read more in our Essential Guide to Canadian Etiquette.

Together, these practices carry the respect that half-masting is meant to convey.

Staying Informed

Official half-masting notices are issued by Canadian Heritage and published by the Government of Canada.

To join the National Flag of Canada half-masting notices email distribution list, please email:

avisdrapeaux-flagnotification@pch.gc.ca

You can also follow Flags Unlimited on Instagram and Facebook, where we share timely updates regarding national observances and half-masting periods.

A Symbol of Pride and Respect

For more than six decades, Flags Unlimited has proudly supported Canadians with expertly crafted flags and soft signage made to honour our country and communities.

The National Flag of Canada represents unity, remembrance, resilience, and pride. During moments of mourning, half-masting the flag serves as a powerful expression of respect shared across the nation.

Whether raising the flag in celebration or lowering it in remembrance, proper flag etiquette helps preserve the dignity and meaning behind one of Canada’s most important national symbols.

Frequently Asked Questions About Half-Masting Flags

What does half-masting a flag mean?

Half-masting is the act of lowering a flag to a position halfway down the flagpole as a sign of mourning or respect.

Who decides when the Canadian flag is half-masted?

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Official half-masting notices are issued by the Government of Canada through Canadian Heritage.

Do businesses and schools have to half-mast their flags?

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Outside of federal institutions, half-masting is generally voluntary but widely observed across Canada.

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