Home » Travel » Canadian Tourism » CANADA DAY: The Canadian Flag

CANADA DAY: The Canadian Flag

© Mary M. Alward

The search for Canada’s flag began in 1925. At that time, the Privy Council began to research new designs. They were determined that Canada would have her own flag, even though she was still dependent on Britain.

In 1946, WWII ended. At this time a committee was formed by Parliament to put out a Call for Submissions for a new flag design. Though the committee received over 2,000 submissions, Parliament was never formally asked to vote on the mandate.

In 1964, Canada’s Centennial was just three years away. Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson stood before the House of Commons and stated that a newly designed flag would be adopted. A House of Commons and Senate Committee was formed. A Call for Submissions of flag designs was once again made public.

Thousands of Canadian citizens responded by sending in their designs for the country’s new flag to Ottawa. Grade 8 students in elementary schools were asked to design a new Canadian flag. Ottawa received over 2,000 designs, ranging a broad scope of subjects, including beaver and the Northern Lights.

By October 1964, the Committee had sat 46 times and eliminated all but three designs – a red flag with a red maple leaf on a white square, a Red Ensign with the Union Jack and Fleur-de-lis and one that depicted three red maple leaves. Prime Minister Pearson’s personal choice was three maple leaves within a blue border on each end.

The credit for the design of Canada’s current flag cannot go to any one person. The red and white combination first adorned the General Service Medal, which was issued by Queen Victoria. King George V chose these colors in 1921. In 1924, Sir Eugene Fiset recommended that Canada’s emblem should be a white field adorned by a single maple leaf. All Canadian Olympic athletes had worn these colors since 1904.

On December 15, 1964, the House of Commons approved the design of a single maple leaf. On December 17, the Senate approved the design. Queen Elizabeth II of England proclaimed the new flag to be flown throughout Canada as its national flag as of Feb 15, 1965 – 98 years after Confederation.

FLAG TRIVIA

The Canadian Flag should always be displayed with respect and should not be displayed in an inferior position. The Canadian flag takes precedence over all other national flags when flown within the boundaries of Canada. The only flags that are given more honors are the personal standards for members and representatives of the Royal Family.

The copyright of the article CANADA DAY: The Canadian Flag in Canadian Tourism is owned by . Permission to republish CANADA DAY: The Canadian Flag in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.