Commentary I joined the board of my local rural community, the Taghum Community Society that operates Taghum Hall, just outside of Nelson, B.C., with a simple goal to be a part of a community. Community halls in rural Canada have been the non-partisan heart of small-town life. They are places built by local volunteers where everyone, regardless of political background, gathers for weekend markets, local theatres, dances, and town meetings. They exist to bring people together. However, I instead found myself sitting in a board meeting watching an ideological takeover happen before my eyes. It started with small details. A pride flag was raised without dialogue or a vote from the board members, while the Canadian flag, the one universal symbol that represents equal rights and unity for every single citizen under the law, was nowhere to be seen. When I questioned why our community was flying special interest banners while ignoring our national flag, it was not received well. I pointed out that a public facility serving the whole town should not be taking ideological sides.