With Flying Colours!

The National Flag of Canada

From approximately 1870 to 1904, the Canadian Red Ensign was used on land and seas as Canada's flag (with the quartered arms of the provinces in the fly). In 1904, the Union Jack was affirmed as a Canadian symbol and was the flag under which Canadian troops fought during the First World War. In 1924, the Red Ensign began to be used on Canadian buildings abroad and, after 1945, flown over federal building within Canada. However, even before the Statute of Westminster, 1931, the Government of Canada had begun the search for a uniquely Canadian flag designed in Canada for Canadians. Committees had been struck in 1925 and again in 1946 but Parliament was never called upon to formally vote on a design. With the centennial of Confederation fast approaching, Prime Minister Lester Pearson informed the House of Commons in 1964 of the government's desire to adopt a distinctive national flag. With thousands of design submissions and after months of lively debate both in Parliament and across the country, the red and white maple leaf flag was approved by Parliament, proclaimed by Her Majesty The Queen and raised for the first time on February 15, 1965. Finally, Canada had a flag of its very own.

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