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Craigleith island flag pole will have double the flap this year

Landmark Canadian flag that flies near Northwinds Beach during the summer sharing the space with Ukrainian flag this year

The neighbours responsible for the landmark Canadian flag that is raised on a pole in Georgian Bay off the shore in Craigleith have added a second flag this year. 

Bob Woodcock and Robert Turner took their annual canoe ride out to the small island of Northwinds Beach to hoist the maple leaf as they do each year, but this time they also raised the blue and yellow flag of Ukraine. 

The two flags display solidarity for the Ukrainian people who remain under attack from Russia. 

The flag pole, located one kilometre off the shores of Northwinds Beach, began with a neighbourly dispute over the trunk of a felled tree. Now, every May for more than 20 years, Woodcock and Turner drag their 22-foot flag pole out to the small island to raise the flag. 

The flags and pole are collected at Thanksgiving before the water freezes. 

You can read more about the history of the offshore flag pole here.


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Erika Engel

About the Author: Erika Engel

Erika regularly covers all things news in Collingwood as a reporter and editor. She has 15 years of experience as a local journalist
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