VIA replaces tattered flag

By JOE BELANGER, The London Free Press

VIA Rail has made good on its promise to replace the tattered flag atop its London station.

Less than 24 hours after The Free Press reported the federally-funded passenger rail service hadn't responded to citizen complaints about the condition of the flag, a truck with a cherry-picker was parked at the station putting up a new flag.

The condition of the old flag prompted criticism from area MPs, including Conservative Ed Holder, whose staff delivered a new flag to the building on Wednesday.

However, the rail service told Holder yesterday it needed to be replaced with an industrial-strength material, but promised it would be done Thursday.

The issue was sparked by a complaint from Londoner Barbara Cecchin who said she complained three times and that it was "disrespectful and shameful that Via Rail is stripping this country's flag of its dignity in this manner and, worse yet, doing nothing about it after being informed."

MPs Glen Pearson and Irene Mathyssen also put pressure on the rail service, with Mathyssen noting the flag flies over a key gateway to the city.

"It's the flag of our country and the Via station is a focal point for visitors and tourists to our city and it's right downtown, so it doesn't speak well," said Mathyssen. "Wherever it's flown, it is very important that it is flown with pride."

A spokesperson was not immediately available for comment Wednesday.

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