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L'Anse au Loup mayor in favour of flying Labrador flag

Makeshift Labrador flags are flying at the border between L'Anse au Clair and Blanc Sablon, despite the Newfoundland and Labrador government's directive to only fly the provincial flag.
L'Anse au Loup Mayor Hedley Ryland says Labrador has its own culture and should be allowed to fly its own flag. (Courtesy L'Anse au Loup Town Council)

Makeshift Labrador flags are flying at the border between L'Anse au Clair, on Labrador's south coast, and Blanc Sablon, Que., despite the Newfoundland and Labrador government's directive to only fly the provincial flag.

We are different people, [from] different cultures — but let us feel that we are our own people- L'Anse au Loup Mayor Hedley Ryland

Someone taped a small flag to the front of the border crossing sign at Blanc Sablon, as well as another larger flag to the back of the sign.

It's not clear who decided to defy government's position.

The flag raising has re-opened wounds for some people in Labrador, including L'Anse au Loup Mayor Hedley Ryland. 

Ryland said Labrador has its own culture and should be allowed to fly its own flag.

Labrador Affairs Minister Nick McGrath recently stated the Newfoundland and Labrador flag should be flown because it represents the entire province. (CBC)
"When I see the Labrador flag, I see that. I see the resources, I see the unity, I see the different cultures. We are different people, [from] different cultures — but let us feel that we are our own people," Ryland said.

"I see what people [are] doing outside ... taking, taking, taking — and they can't give us some road to drive on. They can't give us a ferry to cross the Straits on." 

Labrador Affairs Minister Nick McGrath recently stated the Newfoundland and Labrador flag should be flown, because it represents the entire province.