Frequently asked questions
Flags
When displaying the city flag with the provincial and federal flags, what order should they be in?
From the perspective of the audience facing the flags, the Canadian flag should be placed in the centre, the provincial flag on the left, and the city flag on the right.
What if there are only two flags: the Canadian and the City flag?
From the perspective of the audience facing the flags, the Canadian flag should be on the left and the City flag on the right.
Why are flags half-masted?
Flags may be lowered to half-mast to commemorate special dates such as Remembrance Day or as a measure of respect and condolence when a high profile official passes away.
A flag is generally half-masted until sunset on the day of the funeral or memorial, unless other arrangements have been specified.
At the City of Toronto flags are half-masted on Remembrance Day (November 11) at Toronto City Hall and all Civic Centres.
How do I properly dispose of a flag?
The correct form of disposing of an old flag is by burning it in private.
How can I arrange for a flag-raising?
Requests to use the courtesy flagpole should be submitted in writing and will be confirmed on a first come first served basis. Please mail or fax the following information to:
Please mark the envelope "Flag Raising Request."
Protocol Services
City Clerk's Office
100 Queen St. W.
City Hall, Second floor, West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
E-mail: protocol@toronto.ca
Fax: 416-392-1247
Include:
- organization name, address, contact, title, phone number, fax number and e-mail address
- proposed date and time of flag raising ceremony
- request for a ceremony
- equipment required e.g. lectern, microphone
- name of flag to be raised
For more information call 416-392-6745.
Can you recommend a website that has information on flag etiquette?
Heritage Canada is an excellent resource on flag etiquette.
Booking City facilities and services
How do I book Nathan Phillips Square or other outside civic spaces for an event?
To book the following Squares, please call: 416-395-7378
Nathan Phillips Square
Albert Campbell Square
Mel Lastman Square
Metro Square
How do I book event space in a City facility?
Call Customer Support at 416-397-7220
How do I obtain a tour of City Hall?
City Hall is open to the public from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Individuals or small groups are welcome to visit. You can use our description of City Hall to guide your tour. Grade 5, 10 and ESL classes with curriculum materials on local government can book tours through Toronto Archives.
The Mayor
How do I address the Mayor?
When introducing:
His Worship Mayor Rob Ford, Mayor of Toronto
In correspondence:
His Worship Rob Ford
Mayor, City of Toronto
100 Queen St. W.
City Hall, Second floor, West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Salutation:
Sir
More specific information is available on contacting the Mayor. You can view the sites for Mayor Rob Ford and City Councillors as well.
Scrolls, letters of greeting and Proclamations
How do I request a congratulatory scroll from the Mayor and City Council to celebrate a significant birthday or wedding anniversary?
Congratulatory scrolls are available for 25th wedding anniversaries and up and 65th birthdays and up. To reqeust a scroll, call 416-395-7315, or request a scroll online.
How do I request a letter of greeting from the Mayor for my group, organization or business?
Letters of greeting are issued to groups, organizations or businesses for specific service to the economic, social or cultural well-being of Toronto. Examples include conventions, trade shows and festivals, and sports, cultural and charity fundraising events. To request a letter of greeting, call 416-395-7314 or request a letter of greeting online.
How do I request a proclamation to designate a special day, week or month?
Proclamations recognize the importance of a charitable campaign or organization that is significant to the City of Toronto. To request a proclamation call 416-395-7314 or request a proclamation online.
City of Toronto pins
How do I obtain City lapel pins?
The city provides up to 100 pins to individuals or organizations that are participating in exchanges, national or international events, tournaments or representing the City of Toronto. The request must be made in writing and is limited to one request per organization.
E-mail: protocol@toronto.ca
Fax: 416-392-1247
Mail: Barbara Sullivan
Chief of Protocol
Protocol Services
City Clerk's Office
100 Queen St. W.
City Hall, Second floor, West
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Other questions
How do I contact the Governor General?
Visit the Governor General's website.
How do I contact the Lieutenant Governor?
Visit the Lieutenant Governor's website.
How do I address various dignitaries?
Styles of address are available on the Heritage Canada website.
How do I correctly capitalize the City of Toronto?
The "City of Toronto" is the municipal government organization's official name, and as such is capitalized. This can also be shortened to just the "City," both of which refer to the organization made up of 27,000 men and women who are municipal workers, as in "Bob works for the City," or "The City of Toronto is putting on the Winter City Festival this weekend." The "city of Toronto" uncapitalized, on the other hand, refers to the geographic location, as in "Toronto is the capital city of Ontario," or "2.7 million people live in our great city."
For other questions, please contact Protocol Services.
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