• Loading stock data...
Sunday, March 16, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now

Canadian City Removes All American Flags From Its Sports Arenas

As the U.S.-Canada tariff war escalates, one Ontario mayor is removing American flags from sports arenas and harbor sites.

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) and Team Canada forward brandon Hagel (38) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre.
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

Canadians aren’t feeling so friendly to their American neighbors.

Since the Trump administration first threatened to impose tariffs on goods imported from Canada (and other countries), the repercussions have spilled out from the political arena into sports arenas. And now some local elected officials are taking further action.

The city of Mississauga, Ontario, says it will be removing all American flags from a number of locations across the city. Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish announced Saturday that the city “has begun to remove all American flags from sports arenas and locations along Lake Ontario, including the pier at Snug Harbour in Port Credit. Oversized Canadian flags (15’x30’) are ordered and will be installed on all the poles at City Hall.”

Mississauga has a population of about 770,000 and several sports complexes.

When one person asked Parrish how much the city is spending to remove the flags and later reinstall them (assuming the trade spat ends), she responded: “Peanuts. We raise and lower flags all the time. Very small investment sending a proud Canadian message to those Americans who share our concerns.”

When reached for comment by Front Office Sports, Mississauga Stadium, an athletic facility that includes a full-size artificial turf field and seasonal dome, said there had been no American flags flying at the facility to take down. Port Credit Memorial Arena, also in Mississauga, is a public sports complex with hockey facilities (no one could be reached there). Parrish’s office did not respond to a request for comment from FOS.

Another Ontario town, West Lincoln, voted last month to remove the U.S. flag from a community hockey arena.

What was once a warm and mutually beneficial trading partnership between neighboring countries is now a tense political standoff and retaliation. President Trump’s 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico took effect March 4, though the rate was limited to 10% on Canadian energy. In response, then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced tariffs on more than $100 billion of American goods over the course of 21 days. Canada, which is the largest supplier of steel and aluminum to the U.S., said it will place 25% reciprocal tariffs on steel products and also raise taxes on a range of items imported from the U.S., including tools, computers and servers, sports equipment, and cast-iron products.

The latest move by Mississauga’s mayor is another riposte to the Trump administration to demonstrate Canadian national pride in the face of tariffs and comments suggesting Canada should be the 51st U.S. state.

Before the 4 Nations Face-Off that pitted the U.S. against Canada, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated the president’s position in a briefing, saying: “We look forward to the United States beating our soon-to-be 51st state, Canada.”

Canadian NHL and NBA fans were so upset by Trump’s tariff threats and the escalating trade war that they booed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at multiple home games in early February, including Senators-Wild and Clippers-Raptors. (The booing goes both ways: Rangers fans booed the Canadian anthem at a home game against the Maple Leafs on Feb. 28.)

Fans also booed the U.S. national anthem Saturday at Toronto FC’s home opener against the Chicago Fire.

According to a recent survey by market research firm Leger, two-thirds of Canadians have reduced their purchases of American products, both in stores (68%) and online (65%), and 71% report increasing their purchases of Canadian-made goods.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Alexis Ohanian Wants TGL to Expand Into Women’s Golf: Q&A

Ohanian is bullish on the future of TGL.
Auburn Tigers guard Miles Kelly (13) reacts after hitting a three-point shot against Kentucky during the first half in SEC basketball at Rupp Arena Saturday afternoon in Lexington, Kentucky March 1, 2025

The SEC’s Ascent to Men’s Basketball Supremacy

The league brought its football pageantry and power to college hoops.

Ex-Steelers RB Najee Harris Shades Pittsburgh’s Facilities

Harris heaped praise on the Chargers facilities, in apparent contrast to Pittsburgh’s.
Deivon Smith

Billionaire-Backed St. John’s Wins First Big East Tournament in 25 Years

The Red Storm has spent millions on a renaissance that’s paid off.

Featured Today

San Diego Wave FC falls to Orlando Pride at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, CA on April 29, 2023.

The New Tailored Approach to Women’s Sports Uniforms

For new women’s sports leagues, every detail is custom.
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) cuts down the net after beating LSU in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament between Iowa and LSU at MVP Arena, Monday, April 1, 2024 in Albany, N.Y.
opinion
March 9, 2025

Reader Mailbag: Leagues Need Must-Watch Moments

Readers responded to NHL success and what it means for other leagues.
Moolah Kicks
March 8, 2025

Breaking the Mold: The Brands Designing Footwear Specifically for Female Athletes

New companies are laser focused on changing the women’s athletic footwear landscape.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY, 22: Houston Astros play the Washington Nationals in Spring Training at Cacti Park of the Palm Beaches on February 22, 2025 in West Palm Beach, FL. (
March 6, 2025

Astros Strength Coach Stephanie Grubbs Is Building an ‘Arsenal’ of Skills

The MLB team’s first female coach talks to FOS about her trajectory.
Jul 31, 2012; Manchester , United Kingdom; Overall view of Old Trafford during the second half of the game between the USA against North Korea during the women's preliminary round in the London 2012 Olympic Games. USA defeated North Korea 1-0.

Manchester United Says It Will Replace Old Trafford With 100,000-Seat Stadium

The new stadium would be the largest venue in the U.K. when it opens.
Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; General view inside NRG Stadium during the national anthem before the game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans.
February 20, 2025

Texans Join NFL’s Stadium Push: Weighing Renovation vs. New Build

The NFL team is weighing options regarding the 23-year-old NRG Stadium.
March 3, 2025

Dodger Stadium Gets Makeover to Match MLB’s Most Expensive Roster

Player facilities are the key focus of a $100 million round of upgrades.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Suns
February 18, 2025

Suns Arena Will Be Unbranded as Team Looks for Naming Deal

Some Footprint Center signage has already been removed.
February 12, 2025

Broncos Weighing ‘All Things’ for Stadium: Could a Move Be Next?

Broncos president Damani Leech told FOS the team doesn’t have a lot of time.
Jan 19, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; General view of San Francisco 49ers logo in the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium.
February 11, 2025

Super Bowl Headed West As NFL Ponders International Future

Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., will host next year’s Super Bowl.
Nov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; General view of the inside bowl of Lincoln Financial Field before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
February 10, 2025

Will Eagles’ Super Bowl Win Spark New Stadium Talks in South Philly?

The Super Bowl champions are considering various facility options.