More Than A Sheet of Cloth...Our Heritage!

Canadian Maple Leaf Flag History

Introduction to the Canadian Flag

Currently, the Canadian flag is represented by the Maple Leaf. It is a red flag combined with a white square featured in the middle holding the symbolic Maple Leaf.

(The Canadian Flag)

History of the Canadian Flag

    The Canadian Flag was adopted in 1965 under the order of Lester B. Pearson. The adoption of the maple leaf was the first time in Canadian history that a national flag replaced the Union Jack of Great Britain. Prior to the current flag, the Canadian Red Ensign had been unofficially utilized.

  In 1964, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson addressed the government to consult on the possibility of implementing a new flag. The steadily approaching 1967 centenniel celebration of the 100th anniversary of Canada inspired this new leeway. A committee was formed by certain political members and submissions were called for from any Canadian citizen. Steadily, the process of elimination progressed with the aid of key heraldists.

   The committee eventually recommended the current Maple Leaf flag and was approved by both the house and the senate in mid December, 1965. Finally, the new Canadian flag was proclaimed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to take effect February 15th, 2009. February 15th now marks National Flag Day.

Controversy 

         The Canadian Flag Debate is known as one of the longest waged battles in Canadian history. One of the forerunners in the creation of the Canadian flag was Prime Minister Willian Lyon Mackenzie King. King first suggested the creation of a distinctive Canadian flag shortly after World War I. However, most veterans were infuriated by the idea because they fought and many of their friends died under the Union Jack. How could the Canadian government ask for a new flag when their soldiers' honour was on the line? King's popularity declined dramatically over the Flag Debate and wasn't brought up until the Lester B. Pearson administration.

         John Diefenbaker, the leader of the opposition against Pearson and a war veteran, heartily opposed the instating of a new flag. The battle was ferocious, and Pearson faced much of the same criticisms King had faced. However, the battle was eventually won and Canada was matched with a new flag.