The flag from the City of Barrie in Ontario Canada was presented by Mayor Alex Nuttall to Harrogate’s Charter Mayor Michael Harrison in April 2023 during Mayor Nuttall’s visit to Harrogate.

It was flown in Harrogate on 1 July 2023, the national day of Canada.

It was also flown on 7 June, to mark Sir Robert Barrie Day. Barrie is named after Admiral Sir Robert Barrie, who played a significant role in the creation of modern Canada. He married into the Ingilby family of Ripley Castle and is buried in the Ingilby family vault in Ripley Parish Church. Sir Robert died on 7 June 1841, with 7 June 2023 being the tenth anniversary of the twinning arrangement signed between Harrogate and Barrie.

A ceremony in Barrie was also held to mark Sir Robert Barrie Day, attended by Michael Newby of Harrogate International Partnerships, who was Mayor when the twinning was established and who signed the agreement for Harrogate. During that ceremony Harrogate’s flag was raised in Barrie.

Charter Mayor Michael Harrison and HIP Trustee Mary Andronowski with the Barrie flag outside the Civic Centre offices in Harrogate.

Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall oversees the raising of Harrogate’s flag near the waterfront in Barrie to commemorate Sir Robert Barrie Day and the tenth anniversary of the signing of the twinning agreement.