The American flag will float in Ottawa on July 4

Whatever the trade war between the United States and Canada, the city of Ottawa hoist the American flag on Friday for the American national holiday, as tradition obliges it. A symbolic gesture, according to Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who wants to maintain good bonds of friendship with his southern neighbors despite the current administration.

In a written statement sent by email to Radio-Canada, the city has confirmed that the star flag will float on Place Marion Dewar, in front of the Town Hall, on July 4 as the protocol wants.

A decision that comes despite the customs duties imposed by US President Donald Trump on steel, aluminum and Canadian cars, with an exception for components built in the United States. On several occasions, Trump also suggested that Canada is becoming 51^e US state.

As a sign of protest, other Canadian communities, including Mississauga, Barrie and Midland, Ontario, have chosen to remove American flags from the arenas and other municipal properties.

For the mayor Sutcliffe, it is a question of reaching out to the United States.

Today, more than ever, we should focus on our relationships and work together.

Several municipal councilors of Ottawa do not see any objection. The elected official of Orleans-est-Cumberland, Matt Luloff, believes that Canadians have the possibility of being the adults in this story.

We cannot allow eight years of intermittent troubles to defile 150 years of friendship and partnershiphe judges.

A contested protocol

Ottawa floats the flag of some 190 countries with which Canada has official diplomatic relations on the day of their national holiday, according to its protocol.

This tradition recognizes its role as national capital.

The protocol in place within the municipality has recently been controversial. Last May, pro-Palestinian groups protested the city’s decision to float the Israeli flag on the day of its independence despite the conflict between this country and Hamas.