Dufferin County Council has adopted regulations governing when flags must be flown at half mast on all county buildings.

Deputy Clerk Pam Hillock's report, to "ensure fair and consistent application," has been adopted by the council.

The procedures were recently researched following the deaths of Cpl. Matthew McCully and former Melancthon mayor Ron Dillman.

Although the county warden and CAO may continue to exercise discretion in the lowering of flags, there are seven instances where the lowering is now mandatory.

These are: the Sovereign or a member of the Royal Family related in the first degree to the Sovereign; current and former governors general; current and former prime ministers; current and former lieutenant governors and premiers of Ontario; presidents of the United States; and locally elected representatives of the three levels of government, federal, provincial and municipal.

Under the policy, the flags shall remain at half mast to show a sign of mourning until the day after the funeral service.