Laird Wheaton GM sales manager Ross Barnard doesn't understand why their iconic Canadian flag would be the target of theft. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

stolen flag

‘We’d like our flag back:’ iconic Canadian flag stripped in Nanaimo

Sep 27, 2023 | 11:34 AM

NANAIMO — A bizarre theft of a highly recognized local flag has the impacted business and police stumped.

Ross Barnard, general sales manager of Laird Wheaton GM in Nanaimo, noticed on Monday, Sept. 25 their signature 30 by 15 foot Canadian flag was not flapping in the wind above their dealership at the corner of Bowen Rd. and the Old Island Hwy.

“We’re more concerned about theft of the vehicles, or catalytic converters is the big thing on diesel pick up trucks, but the flag would have been the last thing I ever would have been concerned about,” Barnard said, who noted the theft likely happened between Sunday night into Monday morning.

Maintenance crews periodically switch out the flag during heavy winds, however in this case Barnard said metal lanyards at least 20 feet up the pole were purposely cut to access the flag.

Metal shrapnel and a rope used to control the flag were found at the base of the pole, estimated to be about 100 feet high.

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Barnard said the flag’s absence leaves a significant hole at the dealership and the community.

“Sure does, it’s a legendary landmark, people that come to Nanaimo know it: at the corner of Island Hwy. and Bowen Rd. there’s a huge Canadian flag,” Barnard told NanaimoNewsNOW, noting a replacement flag will be installed in the near future.

On a clear day the highly recognizable Canadian flag in central Nanaimo can be seen from Mt. Benson’s summit. (Google Earth)

He noted their surveillance footage indicates those involved in the theft didn’t access the site from their property.

The Canadian flag is believed to have been above the Laird Wheaton GM site since the 1980’s, according to Barnard.

“We’d like our flag back,” Barnard said.

Nanaimo RCMP Res. Cst. Gary O’Brien stated police don’t have any suspects, witnesses or surveillance footage of the theft.

The absence of the large Canadian flag above the Bowen Rd./Island Hwy. intersection is noticeable. (Ian Holmes/NanimoNewsNOW).

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes