Every year more than a hundred Canadian Flags are installed in Gravenhurst, and once again those flags are being stolen.

The Gravenhurst Lions Club pays to have the flags installed along Muskoka Road as part of an annual fundraiser. So far more than 60 have been reported stolen.

“It works out to about $20 for flag and pole,” says Sharon Morton of the Lions Club. “The poles are about 16 bucks and the flags are about 3.50 now.”

Last year three men were charged for allegedly stealing eight Canadian Flags in town. In that case, the flags were recovered and return to the Lions Club.

The club uses the flags to raise money for community projects in the Gravenhurst area. Typically they raise about $4,500, but every time they replace a flag, that haul goes down.

The club estimates they have already spent more than $600 for flag replacement.

“Youth programs, all the different camps for the blind and the deaf,” she says. “So the money we have to put out to replace the flags is taken away from the money that goes back out into the community.”

Provincial police are investigating and hope anyone with information will contact them or Crime Stoppers.

“It is serious. It constitutes a theft. When caught, the thieves could face a charge of theft,” says OPP Const. Samantha Bigley. “At the very least a fine, and possible jail time.”

The Lions Club says they will continue to replace the flags until Labour Day.