Calgary man challenges condo ban on Canadian flags

A Calgary man is pushing back after being told to remove the Canadian flag he’s flown every summer for 35 years.

“Every summer there’s been a flag,” says condo owner Jim McLeman, who says he’s been flying proudly flying a flag since 1990.

This year, he says someone reported flags were being flown from the balcony of his 14th floor unit at a condo building in Calgary’s downtown west end.

The retired McLeman says he was asked by the condo board to remove the flag before June 26.

The 78-year-old says the flag symbolizes his gratitude for being welcomed and accepted into Canada, and making the country his home. He’s refusing to take it down unless legally required.

“I told them it’s against my constitutional right,” he says. “I told them I came from Scotland to Vancouver in 1967, and I am proud of this flag.”

McLeman has since met with the board and is now calling for all condo owners at the building to weigh in on whether the flag should be allowed.

“All owners should be asked for input regarding putting a flag up, and I’d be quite willing to follow whatever decision comes out of that. If it’s no, so be it,” he says.

He is currently waiting on the board’s response regarding his proposal.

CityNews has reached out to the condo board where McLeman lives and is awaiting a response.