Maple Leaf Flag Returns for Canada Day Celebrations
OTTAWA, July 1, 2005 -- The Government of Canada today announced the return of the Maple Leaf flag that was flown on the Peace Tower on February 15, 1965. The owner of the flag, Ms. Elisabeth Hoffmann-Lamoureux, returned the flag to the Canadian Embassy in Belgium on June 29. Ms. Lamoureux is the widow of Lucien Lamoureux, a former Speaker of the House of Commons.The Department of Canadian Heritage highlighted the return of the Canadian Maple Leaf flag at Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill. An RCMP officer had the honour of presenting the flag to Prime Minister Paul Martin who, in a symbolic gesture, entrusted it to the House of Commons Curator. The ceremony was also a fitting way to mark the 40th anniversary of Canada's national flag.
"On this Canada Day, the return of the Maple Leaf flag further strengthens our pride and our sense of belonging to our country," said Minister Frulla. "This flag belongs to all Canadians, and we can all rejoice in the return of this treasure of our collective heritage to Canada."
For all Canadians, the Maple Leaf flag is the most powerful symbol of our national pride and the values that we share. This year, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the national flag of Canada, and the return of one of its first examples allows us to celebrate this important emblem and to remember its importance.
The Minister of Canadian Heritage is responsible for preserving and protecting our national heritage, as well as for promoting Canadian symbols. In this capacity, she will ensure that the flag is carefully preserved in Canada, where it will eventually be on display for all Canadians.
For more information on the national flag of Canada and its history, please visit the Department of Canadian Heritage Web site at www.pch.gc.ca/special/flag-drapeau
Information:
Jean-François Del Torchio
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage and
Minister responsible for Status of Women
(819) 997-7788
Myriam Brochu
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-9314
BACKGROUNDER
On February 15, 1965, at the stroke of noon, the Canadian flag was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, at a ceremony attended by Governor General Georges Vanier, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, numerous dignitaries, and thousands of citizens.
This flag was lowered by a military officer, who subsequently presented it to Lucien Lamoureux, who was then Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.
In carrying out his duties, Mr. Lamoureux played a key role in the long and heated debate over the adoption of the Maple Leaf flag.
In 1966, Mr. Lamoureux was named Speaker of the House of Commons, a position he held until 1974.
It is commonly held that Mr. Lamoureux preserved the flag used in the ceremony throughout his life, even taking it with him overseas when he was appointed Canada's Ambassador to Belgium.
This flag was used to cover Mr. Lamoureux's coffin at his funeral in 1998.
His wife, Elisabeth Hoffman-Lamoureux, who still lives in Europe, kept it until now.
Recently, she communicated with representatives of the Government of Canada and informed them of her intention to return this flag of great symbolic value to Canada to mark the 40th anniversary of Canada's flag.
On June 29, Ms. Hoffmann-Lamoureux presented this treasure of Canada's heritage to the Embassy of Canada in Belgium. The flag was quickly brought home to Ottawa in order to be presented to Canadians during the Canada Day ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
The Government of Canada will entrust this Maple Leaf flag to the House of Commons Curator for preservation.
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