At a time when Ontarians are enduring a precarious economic climate they look towards their leaders for guidance and assistance.   But that's not what they received recently when the McGuinty government made a decision that has infuriated and offended many, including some prominent MPPs.

The provincial government has outsourced its own flag contract, meaning Ontario flags used by government officials and often given away as gifts, are now being made in China.

"It's pathetic, it's rude and insulting," said outspoken NDP MPP Peter Kormos.  "This just boggles the mind. I can't give this flag away in the riding of Welland where so many workers have lost their jobs."

PC MPP Tim Hudak agrees. 

"In a time of job loss, economic crisis, I think our Ontario flag...should be made in Ontario," he argued.

A downtown Toronto company, Flying Colours International, had been making the flags for the Legislature for over 12 years, but they recently lost the contract to a company from China, which will fork in $40,000 per year over the next 3 years.

Apparently each flag can be made for $5 less overseas.

"It definitely is ironic," notes Edward McLean, Flying Colours International.  "The more we can keep the manufacturing sector going in Ontario and Canada, the more we're going to keep all the small businesses going too."

To make matters worse many seem to notice a definite lack of quality in the Chinese version of the flag compared to the old homemade ones.

The issue has raised such a flap that the Board of Internal Economy will see if it's possible to break the contract.