Thorold waves the flag

The city of Thorold set out to break the record it set last Canada Day. The city was calling on people to fly the Maple Leaf flag, to show that nobody beats Thorold for patriotism.

Dominic Rosetto had 165 flags flying around his house this Canada Day. Lining the sidewalk, and around the door. His tribute to a country that he says did a lot for him: “I came over from the old country 63 years and I’m happy I’m here and Canada really treat me good and that’s why i try to give something back to Canada.”

With people like Dominic and plenty of others flying flags and registering them with city hall, it reinforces Thorold’s claim to be the most patriotic city in Canada.

Last year, they had more than eight thousand flags registered. This year, even more than that, according to Thorold’s Mayor Ted Luciani: “Flags right now registered are at about 10,500, which is a record for us.”

The Canada Day flag project started out as a way of showing that Canadians can be as patriotic as anybody else — like Americans.

And the mayor says the excitement is growing year by year: “It’s catching on more. Each year it catches on more and more and people are flying their flags, proud to be Canadians.”

In a city like Thorold, the immigrant experience moves many people to fly the flag out of respect for the country that became their home.

Others: “You know, proud Canadians.” Are happy just to honour the day that marks the founding of their country.

“It’s Canada’s birthday. Lets celebrate it together.”

There’s no word yet on any other city in Canada challenging Thorold’s flag-flying numbers. So until that changes, it looks it can claim the title again of Canada’s most patriotic city.