Montreal mayor proposes updating city flag to reflect contribution of Aboriginal people

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre wants to modify the city's flag to better reflect the origins of the city.

He's planning to add a new element to the flag as a tribute to the Aboriginal population and the history of the Montreal region

The city has reached out to the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (AFNQL) to discuss the matter.

Ghislain Picard, the grand chief of the AFNQL, says it's a good idea, but he says choosing the symbol is a delicate matter.

"We have to refer to the diversity among Aboriginal people. We have 10 different First Nations in the province," he said. 

Picard said he's hopeful the change to the flag is part of a broader reconciliation effort for the 375th anniversary. 

Council fire?

Kahnawake chief Christine Zachary-Deom said she is thrilled with Coderre's proposal. 

She would like the image of a council fire added to the middle of the flag.

"The fire is representative of a large council fire. It was where the chiefs sat around to discuss, and it was a huge gathering of all the people coming to a big meeting," she said.

Coderre hasn't yet said how he'd like to see the flag changed. 

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The current flag includes symbols representing four of the city's founding communities:

• a Fleur-de-lys, representing the French.
• a red Rose of Lancaster, representing the English.
• a thistle, representing the Scots.
• a shamrock, representing the Irish.