The Office of Ceremonies & Events is responsible for all aspects of the use of and the lowering of the Canadian and University flags on campus as required.
About the Lowering of the Flag
The University of Toronto Scarborough has three main flags in three locations on campus.
The Canadian flag is located atop of the science wing (SW), and is subject to specific protocol as dictated by the Canadian Government (Canadian Heritage).
The University of Toronto flags are situated in front of the Arts & Administration Building (AA), and the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, and are subject to university protocol. On special occasions, the University of Toronto flag is replaced with other flags such as the Pride and Trans flags.
The Ceremonies Office arranges for the lowering of the flag for events such as the passing of a member of the campus community and occasions of national significance.
Effective April 23rd, 2020, all flag lowering announcements will be posted here. Notices will no longer be sent to campus via email.
All flags on the three campuses will be lowered to half-mast on Tuesday April 28 to observe the National Day of Mourning for workers killed or injured on the job
The National Day of Mourning, officially recognized by the federal government in 1991, is held annually on April 28 in approximately 100 countries around the world and has been adopted by the AFL-CIO and the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions.
According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, the most recent statistics from the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC) indicate that in 2017, 951 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada which represents an increase of 46 from the previous year.
The Canadian flag on Parliament Hill will fly at half-mast as well as those of businesses and other organizations across the country.
The University of Toronto will participate in this National Day of Mourning by lowering the flags in various locations across each campus and through this act affirms its commitment to the promotion of health and safety for all members of the university community and to the provision of a safe and healthy work and study environment.
For more info, click here.
University of Toronto flag at half-mast tomorrow, Friday, April 24th, in memory of Professor Ian Brown
The University of Toronto flag will fly at half-mast on Friday, April 24th, in memory of Professor Ian Brown who passed away on March 24, 2020.
Through his distinguished scholarship and dedication to academic excellence, Professor Brown leaves a remarkable legacy in the Department of Biological Sciences, and across the University. We are grateful for his contributions to the academic mission, notably, as founder of the Centre for the Neurobiology of Stress, and a Canada Research Chair in the Neurobiology of Stress.
Professor Ian Brown will be warmly remembered by his many friends and colleagues from the University of Toronto and the wider neuroscience community.
The family has opted to hold a private memorial service.
Flags lowered to mark the tragic events that took place in Nova Scotia on April 18 - 19, 2020
Flags at all three U of T campuses are lowered to half-mast until Wednesday, April 22 to mark the tragic events that took place in Nova Scotia on April 18-19. “The U of T community is deeply saddened by the horrific violence in Nova Scotia," said President Meric Gertler. "Our hearts go out to the victims’ families and friends, the injured, the RCMP, and everyone affected.”
University of Toronto flag at half-mast on Saturday, March 7th, in memory of Terry De Geer
The University of Toronto flag will fly at half-mast on Saturday, March 7th, in memory of retired staff member Terry De Geer, who passed away on Saturday, January 18, 2020. Terry joined the University in September 1976 and transferred to UTSC in July 1998. She held the position of Senior Payroll and Benefits Administrator in Human Resource Services until her retirement on July 31, 2015.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Ralph Campbell Lounge at the University of Toronto Scarborough. All are welcome to attend. For additional information about the Celebration of Life, please contact Louise Beckley (beckley@utsc.utoronto.ca).
Flags at half-mast to honour those who perished in the plane crash in Iran
Flags on all three campuses will fly at half-mast until further notice to honour the 176 victims, including sixty-three Canadians, of the tragic crash of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 near Tehran.
The university's three campuses are united in mourning the loss of the victims and offering sympathy and condolences to their families and friends. More information, including how to get support, is available at this link: https://www.utoronto.ca/news/u-t-community-mourns-iran-plane-crash-victims