Pearson began by proposing a concept for a new flag featuring a sprig of 3 red maple leaves, similar to those in the national coat of arms, on a white background bordered by 2 blue stripes. As the newly elected Prime Minister in 1963, Pearson promised to resolve the question of a new national flag in time for Canada’s centennial celebrations in 1967. Pearson, then Leader of the Opposition, declared that he was determined to solve what he called “the flag problem.” To Pearson, this issue was critical to defining Canada as a unified, independent country. Canadians had fought and died under the Union Jack and the Canadian Red Ensign and many were still attached to these emblems and to their British heritage. In the years following the Second World War, public opinion grew in favour of a new national flag, but the nation was divided. As a compromise, the Canadian government chose to keep the Union Jack as the national flag and to fly the Canadian Red Ensign from government buildings. However, on both occasions the projects were shelved by Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, mainly due to fears that the issue might lead to political instability. In 1925 and again in 1946, attempts were made to consider possible concepts and designs for a new national flag. Which symbols could be chosen to represent and characterize Canada and its values? But creating an entirely new flag was no easy feat. Appeals for such a flag increased steadily in the early 20th century. To Egyptian observers, it appeared that Canada was flying the flag of an invading nation! This misunderstanding helped to reinforce the call for a distinctive and unique Canadian national flag.īeyond a new coat of arms, many Canadians also wanted a new, distinctive Canadian flag to represent them. The Canadian troops flew the Canadian Red Ensign, which incorporates the Union Jack. Early flags The royal union flag (Union Jack)Ĭanadian troops were sent to Egypt in 1956 as United Nations Peacekeepers during the Suez Crisis, which saw an invasion of Egypt by Israel, France and the United Kingdom. Read more about flying the National Flag of Canada. For example, the National Flag should never touch the ground. Specific etiquette and protocols apply to the National Flag of Canada. While the quest for a national flag for Canada dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the flag as we know it today emerged from the major social transformations during the 1950s and 1960s in the lead up to the 100th anniversary of Confederation in 1967. Maybe you’ve even sewn one on to your backpack and travelled the world! Regardless of where you see it, the National Flag of Canada stands out both at home and abroad as one of the most striking and recognizable symbols representing Canada.īut has Canada always had its iconic red and white maple leaf flag to showcase itself to the world? It may surprise you to learn that our flag is relatively young and that it has an eventful history. Maybe you’ve waved a paper hand flag on Canada Day, or worn it as a pin on your jacket. You’ve seen it proudly flying throughout the country. View the Timeline: Canada’s National Flag
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