Requesting Proclamations, Flag Raisings, Messages and Certificates
The City of Greater Sudbury offers several ways to recognize significant events, causes and achievements within the community – through proclamations, flag raising ceremonies, Mayor’s messages and congratulatory certificates. These acknowledgements help celebrate the contributions of local organizations, residents and initiatives that make Greater Sudbury a vibrant and inclusive place to live.
Note: Requests must be submitted a minimum of 14 days prior to the required date to be considered.
Proclamation Requests
A proclamation is a formal document issued by the Mayor to dedicate a day, week or month to honour a special event, cause or purpose. They may be presented during City Council meetings, or at a separate public ceremony. Proclamations may be requested by Greater Sudbury-based organizations and are intended to recognize initiatives or events that directly impact the community, including:
- Civic initiatives and campaigns
- Charitable or community initiatives
- Health and public service initiatives
- Multicultural awareness initiatives or events
Some requests that do not meet the criteria for a proclamation may instead be considered for a congratulatory certificate.
Flag Raising Requests
Flag raising ceremonies may be held at Tom Davies Square to commemorate specific events or causes. With prior approval, the City will fly the flag representing: a sovereign nation, non-profit or charitable organization, or to commemorative an awareness day, week or month that is recognized by the municipality, Province of Ontario or the Government of Canada.
To request a flag raising, please consider the following:
- The cause or event aligns with the City’s values of respect, inclusivity and community engagement
- The flag should be 36" x 72" (90 cm x 180 cm) in size and in good condition
- The requesting organization provides the flag
Flag raising requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to the City’s discretion. In addition, recognition or celebratory events may also be held in the foyer or courtyard, either alongside or as part of the flag raising ceremony. The Mayor and members of Council may attend a flag raising based on availability.
Once approved:
The organization can deliver the flag to City of Greater Sudbury, One Stop Services at Tom Davies Square at least one business day prior to the event. When a flag is taken down, it will be returned to One Stop Services. The Mayor’s Office will contact the event organizers for pickup of the flag after the event.
Please note: The flag protocol is to keep the flag up for 24 hours.
Criteria for Proclamation or Flag Raisings
To request a proclamation or flag raising, the event, cause or campaign must meet the following criteria:
- It is non-commercial and non-partisan in nature
- It fosters a sense of community and inclusivity
- It demonstrates respect and acceptance for all residents
- It celebrates a non-profit or charitable organization’s event or awareness campaign
Mayor's Messages
Mayor's messages are brief greetings a few paragraphs in length, written for publication in programs or booklets. They are signed by the Mayor and may include his picture if requested. These messages are typically used by organizers of community events or conferences.
Certificates of Congratulations
Certificates of Congratulations are custom certificates issued by the Mayor to recognize individuals or organizations in Greater Sudbury who have reached significant milestones or made notable contributions to the community. These certificates may be awarded for achievements such as:
- Celebrating an 80th birthday or greater
- Marking a 50th wedding anniversary or greater
- Recognizing athletes for accomplishments
- Celebrating business milestones, such as grand openings
Request Process
To submit a request for a proclamation, flag raising, Mayor’s message or congratulatory certificate, the following steps should be followed:
- Ensure eligibility: Requests must align with the City’s criteria and promote community engagement.
- Submit the request: Complete the online request form or contact the Mayor’s Office with the details of the event or cause. Requests must be submitted at least 14 days prior to the event to ensure timely processing.
Requests That Will Not Be Approved
The City of Greater Sudbury will not approve requests that:
- Espouse hatred, violence, racism or offensive messages
- Represent political parties or organizations
- Reflect activities that are contrary to the City’s bylaws or policies
These events, messages and certificates serve to honour the achievements and contributions that make Greater Sudbury a unique and vibrant community. By recognizing events and causes that promote respect, inclusivity and positive impact, the City helps to foster a culture of empathy, unity and shared values.