Sarnia council has defeated a motion seeking a policy change that would allow the lowering of the Canadian flag at city hall for extended periods of time in certain cases.
Councillor Brian White had asked that the flag fly at half mast until the completion of either a national day of mourning or the final funeral service of the victims, when an act of terrorism, a mass killing, or act of violence where members of an identifiable group were killed on Canadian soil.
Councillor Anne-Marie Gillis felt lowering it for long periods of time would lead to confusion.
"If you leave the flag at half mast for a prolonged period of time, recognizing one group as opposed to another, it's difficult for people to understand what exactly you're doing," said Gillis.
Council has recommended that from now on, when the flag is lowered, the city's communications coordinator will post online the reason why.
