During an official visit to Japan, Mayor Nate Bello of the City of Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada presented a Companion Flag to his counterpart, Mayor Toshiaki Sakashita of Quesnel's Sister City, Shiraoi.

Mayor Bello was asked to recount the event after his return home:

"Of course, the flag was well received. Mayor Sakashita was very pleased when it was presented at the official meeting of the twinning relationship in Shiraoi at 'Quesnel House'. Quesnel House is in the municipal forest and is dedicated to our 22 year old relationship. I remember saying at the time how our sister cities can be a beacon of hope for the rest of the world. If all the small places realized the importance of unity as symbolized by the Companion Flag, the larger geopolitical entities would have to follow suit and peace would prevail."