Request a flag raising or clock tower lighting

The Community Recognition Program allows Canadian registered charities and non-profit groups to recognize and celebrate special occasions and events that create a spirit of community, celebrate Mississauga’s diverse cultures and contribute to enriching the quality of life in our city.

Canadian non-profit and charitable organizations can request recognition by a flag raising or clock tower lighting.

Recognition requirements

To be eligible, your organization must:

• Be a Canadian registered charity or non-profit organization 
• Charities must include their nine-digit registration number or be included on the Government of Canada’s List of Charities

Request guidelines 

For both flag raisings and clock tower lighting:

• Recognition requests must be submitted at least four weeks before your preferred date.  
• Your organization can only select one recognition option (either a flag raising or lighting) per year.  
• Requests are for one year only. New requests must be made each year.  
• Before submitting your request, review the Events Calendar to check whether another recognition activity is already scheduled for that day.  
• Have an alternate date in mind. Even if a date appears available, another request may be under review.

Planning your recognition activity 

• You are responsible for inviting guests you would like to attend the recognition activity, including the Mayor and Members of Mississauga Council.  
• If your organization plans to host a reception after your recognition activity, it is your group’s responsibility to contact our special events team via email to begin the process. 
• Booking a recognition event does not automatically mean that the Great Hall has been booked for your use. 

Types of recognition

Flag raising

The City of Mississauga will raise a flag for community or non-profit groups and organizations that meet the criteria in the Community Recognition Policy.

When submitting a flag raising request:

• Requests for national flag raisings for the upcoming calendar year must be submitted by December 1 of the preceding year. This includes the flags of any countries or nations requested to be raised.
• Any requests for national flag raisings received after this deadline will be evaluated separately. For late requests, note that the date requested may not be available.  
• The flag to be raised must represent a nation whose flag is recognized by Global Affairs Canada. 
• The requestor will be responsible to provide the flag, if the City of Mississauga doesn’t currently have the flag in their inventory.

Flag raisings will take place on a flagpole designated by the City. The flag will remain in place for one day (up to 24 hours). 

Note that if all flags at City Hall are to be half-masted for a planned or unplanned activity, the flag raised by the community group will also be half-masted. The group will be made aware of any planned half-mastings on their preferred date should their request be approved. 

If you’re representing a charity or non-profit group, you can request a flag raising by emailing us at community.recognition@mississauga.ca.

Your email should include:

• The date and time you’d like to have the flag raised
• The title and a brief description of the event you’d like to recognize
• Your name and contact information
• The name of the community group requesting the flag raising
• The requesting group’s nine-digit charitable organization number and/or a link to where the group’s name appears on the Government of Canada’s List of Charities
• A .jpg image of the flag you would like raised

Clock tower lighting

The City of Mississauga will light the City Hall clock tower for registered charities and non-profit community groups that are based in Canada and meet the criteria in the Community Recognition Policy. If you’re representing a charity or non-profit group, you can request a lighting of the City Hall clock tower by emailing us at community.recognition@mississauga.ca.

Your email should include:

• The date you’d like to have the clock tower lighting
• The title and a brief description of the event you’d like to recognize
• Your name and contact information
• The name of the community group requesting the clock tower lighting
• The requesting group’s nine-digit charitable organization number and/or a link to where the group’s name appears on the Government of Canada’s List of Charities
• The colour(s) you would like the City Hall clock tower lit. The requesting organization can choose up to three colours.

The clock tower will be lit for one evening on the approved date.

Lighting colours available

You can choose up to three colours for your approved lighting. If the chosen colour is unavailable, you will be asked to choose a different colour(s).

All colours are subject to availability. Available colours include:

Recognition items are issued at the discretion of the City of Mississauga. Requests will be reviewed and evaluated in the order they are received. The City of Mississauga will work to ensure approved community recognition requests are fulfilled on the agreed upon date; however, activities may be cancelled or rescheduled at the City’s discretion at any time. In this case, the requesting group will be notified as early as possible.