A proposed bill designed to limit the types of flags allowed on government property has been amended to ensure that the city of Bonners Ferry can continue to fly the Canadian flag. 

The amendment was moved by Josh Keyser, R-Meridian, and seconded by Jim Woodward, R-Sagle, who represents District 1. It was the only amendment made in the Senate to the bill. The bill passed the Senate 26-8-1, requiring a two-thirds majority for approval. 

Because of the amendment, the bill returned to the House for another vote, despite having previously been approved there. 

Two days later, the Idaho House of Representatives passed the bill by a vote of 59-8-3. It has now been sent to Gov. Brad Little for his signature. 

Section 1, Part 2F of the bill now states: “A governmental entity shall not display a flag on its property other than the following: official flags of countries other than the United States to commemorate special occasions or in recognition of historic international and cross-border relations.” 

It is the last part of the amendment that allows the city of Bonners Ferry to fly the Canadian flag, as it was erected specifically to commemorate the historic cross-border relations between the United States and Canada, with Bonners Ferry and Moyie Springs being among Idaho’s northernmost communities. 

Woodward said he decided to second the amendment to House Bill 561 because of the region’s connection to Canada. 

“I grew up in Bonners Ferry and have been part of that community all my life, whether I’ve been living there or not,” Woodward said. “We all know the amount of activity that goes back and forth across that border and how important it is to people, whether we’re talking about water in the valleys or just business coming through downtown. We operate in connection with Canada.” 

Woodward said he spoke with several members of the public about ensuring the Canadian flag continues to fly in Bonners Ferry. During a town hall meeting March 28 at the Boundary County Fairgrounds, there was applause from the audience after Woodward spoke about the amendment. 

“Our relations across the border are important and having the ability to fly that flag to show that we are acting as good partners is important,” Woodward said. “You can see that through the community, including what happened last year with the mayor and City Council declaring every day a special occasion after last year’s legislative session.” 

The bill is sponsored by Rep. Ted Hill, R-Eagle, who said he created the bill in part because the Pride flag was being flown by the city of Boise. 

“We were collateral damage,” Woodward said. “We just have folks down here who have never been to Boundary County and don’t understand the significance of what we’re talking about. So, we had to prove that there was a real reason to make this exception.” 

Woodward’s views on the flag bill differ from those of one of his opponents in the May primary election, Scott Herndon, who shared his thoughts in a March 9 Facebook post. 

“Local government should not fly other nations’ flags,” Herndon wrote. “Local government does not represent other nations. It represents the state of Idaho, the United States and the people who live within the borders of the city. The job of local government is not to be the chamber of commerce.” 

The city of Bonners Ferry has flown the Canadian flag since 1987. Last year, the Bonners Ferry City Council voted to create a 365-day holiday allowing the flag to remain in place.