Flag friction in Fenelon Falls

Last year, while walking along the locks in Fenelon Falls, Lynda Palmer was shocked to see an American flag flying.

“I just couldn’t believe my eyes. It felt like a slap in the face with what’s going on with (Canada’s) relationship with the U.S.”

This year, she was surprised to see it return, given those same geopolitical issues with the United States are still with us. The U.S. president continues to imply Canada should be the 51st state, as well as using other forms of economic intimidation.

Palmer made it clear she has no problems with American tourists who visit the area and acknowledges that they’re important to the economy. “They are a significant part of our tourism along the Trent-Severn Waterway, without a doubt.”

But she points out a nation’s flag is more properly about the broader culture in the U.S. and is far more political than welcoming individual Americans who are visiting.

While the flag is on Trent-Severn property, it is the Fenelon Falls and District Chamber of Commerce that puts the flags up.

“For the past 15 years, the Fenelon Falls & District Chamber of Commerce has taken on the responsibility of securing funding to install and maintain the small flags along the upper portion of the Trent-Severn Waterway canal,” said Marylee Boston, executive director of the chamber.

“In 2025, a few residents approached the chamber regarding the U.S. flags that have historically been included in the flag display. Residents held differing opinions regarding flying the U.S. flag, both for and against it.”

Boston says chamber staff spent “significant time in dialogue with residents, local stakeholders, elected officials, city staff, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and Chambers of Commerce in communities with a high volume of U.S. visitors.”

However, for some the flag sends a political message. Linda Oliver grew up in Fenelon Falls. While she now lives in Lindsay, she still visits the area. “If I live in Lindsay in a residential area, imagine if I put an American flag on my front lawn. I think all my neighbours would be calling me and pounding on my door and saying, ‘what are you doing’?”

In her view, an alternative would be to put up a “welcome back” sign for visitors. “(Businesses) do depend on that three-month income from American tourists, I get it. But the other nine months of the year they have to depend on the local people.”

Sherry Chalmers grew up in Fenelon Falls and now lives in Port Perry. When she saw the flag flying on a recent visit, she was upset. “I feel like we should be proud Canadians, and I was just disappointed in seeing it there.”

Like others, she understands how important summer tourism is to the area and has no problems with the Americans who do visit. “We should be pleasant and friendly to the Americans that do come up.”

Boston said the decision to keep the flag flying wasn’t one that was made rashly. “The Chamber board of directors reviewed all the feedback and made a decision that aligned with our mandate: to reduce the number of U.S. flags to one to continue welcoming the many U.S. visitors who support the local economy.”

She said several U.S. visitors have noted the U.S. flag along the canal “and shared their appreciation for our community’s welcoming environment.”

Palmer pointed out that Americans aren’t the only tourists in the area, and having a more inclusive sign would be the best option. “Welcome back encompasses a lot of people.”