FLAG OF CANADA: HISTORY AND MEANING - CULTURE VOCABULARY

The flag of Canada is the most important national symbol of that country in North America. It is made up of three vertical stripes in a 1: 2: 1 ratio. The two extreme stripes are red, while the central one is white. Inside this is the distinctive symbol of the country: a red maple leaf.

The current Canadian flag came into effect in 1965 after a long debate. Although the Confederation of Canada was formed in 1867, until then the Canadian Red Flag was used, which had the Union Jack in the canton and the shield of Canada on the red part.

Current flag of Canada. (By Created by E Pluribus Anthony / User: Mzajac (See below), via Wikimedia Commons).

The debate for the change of flag was carried out in parliamentary headquarters, with supporters and opponents among the different political parties. The proposals promoted the maple leaf as a symbol of unity. As a result, projects with the Union Jack and the Quebec fleur de lis, of French origin, were rejected.

There is no specific meaning of the colors, although they are of monarchical origin. However, red is associated with Canadian sacrifice in World War I and the maple leaf has been a national symbol since independence.

History of the flag

The history of the Canadian flag has not passed at the same rate as the history of the country. Although during the British rule the British flag always prevailed, different adaptations made Canada possessing its own symbols. However, these kept the British mark until the middle of the 20th century.

First flags

The first flags to fly in Canada were those of the colonial powers that were in the territory. In the framework of the French colonization of the entire eastern part of the territory, the main symbol of New France was imposed: the fleur de lis. This was present in the shields, and therefore, in the flags of the colony, through the arms of King Louis XVI.

Flag of New France (1534-1763). (By Sodacan, from Wikimedia Commons) After the end of New France, the British took absolute control of present-day Canadian territory. From the earliest settlements of Nova Scotia, in the far east, the Union Jack was used.

This was maintained until the independence of the Canadian Confederation in 1861. It currently enjoys the status of the royal flag of Canada.

Flag of the United Kingdom (Union Jack). (By Original flag by Acts of Union 1800SVG recreation by User: Zscout370, from Wikimedia Commons).

Independence from the Canadian Confederation

The different British colonies of North America began to group together until Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick formed the Canadian Confederation in 1867.

However, the new country saw no need to establish a new flag. For this reason, it can be considered that the first Canadian flag was that of the Governor General representing the British monarch.

This banner was officially established in 1869. It consisted of the Union Jack and the new shield that incorporated those of the four founding colonies.

Banner of the Governor General of Canada. (1869-1921). (By Sodacan, from Wikimedia Commons)

Beginnings of the red flag

Although Canada did not adopt specific new symbols after independence, the country did differ from the United Kingdom. The first symbol that began to gain popularity was known as the Red Ensign. This consisted mainly of the Union Jack in the canton, while the rest of the flag was red, with the shield.

As new provinces were added to the Confederation, their symbols were added to the country's coat of arms. The use of the red flag was increasing, until it was declared official to identify Canadian vessels.

Red Flag of Canada (1868-1921). (By Greentubing ~ commonswiki (SVG file), via Wikimedia Commons.)

Incorporation of the coat of arms of Canada

In 1921, the Canadian flag underwent its first change. Although it was still not adopted as a national flag, since that year it incorporated the coat of arms of Canada.

This new symbol was approved that year and replaced the one that represented all the country's provinces. Starting in 1924, the use of the flag was decreed in Canadian diplomatic representations abroad.

Red Flag of Canada (1921-1957). (This image is based on User: Denelson83's post 1957 red ensign, via Wikimedia Commons.).

However, the problem of the Canadian flag came to be raised at the government level. That is why by order of Prime Minister Mackenzie King a committee was created to create a flag.

Although the committee was dissolved before throwing a result, proposals began to emerge, always with the maple leaf present. These projects also tried to combine the presence of the Union Jack with the French-speaking fleur de lis.

Proposed flag change after World War II

Although the flag had not been officially established, it was used by Canadian troops in World War II. After the war ended in 1945, a parliamentary mixed commission was organized again to propose a national flag. By May 1946, there were 2,695 designs proposed.

The commission ruled that the flag should remain the Red Pavilion with a golden maple leaf on a white background. Faced with opposition from Quebec that the Union Jack be maintained, any project was rejected and the current flag was maintained.

Flag proposed by the parliamentary commission in 1946. (Zscout370 at English Wikipedia, via Wikimedia Commons). Later, in 1957 the flag again had a slight change in the shield. The three maple leaves that it included turned red.

Red Flag of Canada (1957-1963). (By User: Denelson83, from Wikimedia Commons).

Great debate on the Canadian flag

The 60s were the irreversible stage in the change of the flag of Canada. The new liberal government of Lester Pearson mobilized the project halted by the previous government of Mackenzie King, also liberal.

First, Pearson made the decision to change the country's flag. To do this, he used his personal experience. Before he came to head the government, Pearson was a UN negotiator on the 1956 Suez Canal crisis.

Back then, he argued that many confused Canada, which had nothing to do with the conflict, with the United Kingdom, for the presence of the Union Jack.

This act prevented the entry of the Canadian peacekeepers. Pearson was a strong supporter of the removal of the Union Jack from the national flag, and for that, he counted on the opposition of the Conservatives.

Pearson expedited the process and proposed to parliament a draft flag, with two blue stripes at the ends and three red maple leaves.

Flag proposed by Prime Minister Lester Pearson. (By No machine-readable author provided. Zscout370 assumed (based on copyright claims)., Via Wikimedia Commons) Disdainfully, this flag was dubbed Pearson's pennant. The proposal did not see the light of day, but the prime minister created a 15-member parliamentary committee to create the new flag.

Parliamentary commission

The parliamentary committee was formed in September 1964 with the presence of all the parties. The Liberals were awarded seven members, the Conservatives five, the PND one, Social Crediter one and Créditiste one.

Parliamentarians received more than 2,000 suggestions from the public, in addition to all those previously made by the parliamentary committee.

The single maple leaf prevailed over the prime minister's three-leaf design. Finally, the Liberals and Conservatives voted unanimously for the design proposed by historian George Stanley. The flag was inspired by that of the Royal Military College of Canada.

Flag of the Royal Military College of Canada. (By Artist of the College of Arms, London. SVG rendering by Zscout370 at English Wikipedia., Via Wikimedia Commons) Stanley, then Dean of Arts at the Royal Military College thought that the two red stripes should be the base of the flag. In addition, when he presented his project, he ruled out the use of symbols that could divide society such as the Union Jack or the fleur de lis. In addition, he maintained that it was only two-color: red and white.

Flag approval

On December 15, 1964, the House of Commons approved the flag project with 163 votes in favor and 78 against. The Senate also did the same on December 17. In this way, the Queen of Canada, Elizabeth II, proclaimed the new flag of the country on January 28, 1965.

The first time this pavilion was used was on February 15 at the parliamentary headquarters. The event was attended by all the high authorities of Canada, such as the Governor General, the prime minister, senators and deputies. The flag has not undergone any changes since its approval.

Meaning of the flag

After the independence of Canada, the country adopted the Red Flag as its insignia. This caused that, with the passing of time, red was identified as the color of the country.

This was also decreed by King George V in 1921, inspired by the cross of St. George. Over time, red was also identified as a symbol of Canadian sacrifice in World War I.

The target, on the other hand, is related to the country since the French colonization. This is because from that moment on it was in the national symbols, with the emblem of King Carlos VII. This color has not acquired a specific meaning.

Maple Leaf

The maple leaf, on the other hand, has identified Canada since at least the moment of its independence. The number of points does not have a specific meaning, as it was chosen based on the best visual the flag had with the wind.

The meaning of this symbol began to be acquired after it was adopted. Since the 18th century it has been used, and was present on the coats of arms of Ontario and Quebec.

Later it was added to the coins. Especially, the symbol gained meanings of bravado when the Canadian military used the maple leaf as a badge, both in the First and Second World Wars.

Also, being precisely a maple leaf, this symbol is an ambassador of Canadian nature. This tree is extremely common in the country and its wood has been highly appreciated by its inhabitants.

Other flags

The second most important flag of Canada is still the Union Jack. The British flag enjoys the status of a royal flag in the North American country. For this reason, it is raised on days and events related to the monarchy.

Some of these days are the Commonwealth of Nations, which is celebrated on the second Monday in March, the day of the Queen's feast, and on December 11, which commemorates the signing of the Statute of Westminster.

In all the above cases, the Union Jack must be accompanied by the Canadian national flag. The latter must always occupy the position of honor.

Another official flag in Canada is the one that identifies its Armed Forces. This flag features the Canadian flag in the upper left corner, leaving the rest of the insignia blank. On that part the shield of the Armed Forces is arranged, which stands out before the target.

Flag of the Armed Forces of Canada. (By Canadian Heraldic Authority / Canadian Armed Forces Directorate of History and Heritage, via Wikimedia Commons).

Canadian duality flag

Similarly, there are also unofficial Canadian flags that have represented the plurality and diversity of the country. One of the most prominent is the flag of Canadian duality.

This flag emerged in the referendum campaign for the independence of Quebec in 1996, to show that Canada could accept this community.

The composition of this pavilion adds two blue stripes after the white stripes. This would be on behalf of the Francophone community, and more specifically, the province of Quebec. Blue is the predominant color on the Québec flag.

Canadian duality flag. (By Zscout370 sur Wikipédia anglais (Transféré de en.wikipedia à Commons by Gary King.), Via Wikimedia Commons).

Canada Flag Day

Since 1996, February 15 has been established as Canada's National Flag Day. This day is not a national holiday, but it is commemorated nationally. Generally, this day is commemorated through the raising of the flag in all the institutions.

In addition, the day is an invitation to citizens to wave the flag at their residences. It is also usually a reason for school activity, because events and studies are held in the country's schools on the national pavilion.

References

Fraser, AB (1991). A Canadian flag for Canada. Journal of Canadian Studies, 25 (4), 64-80. Recovered from utpjournals.press.
Government of Canada. (sf). History of the National Flag of Canada. Government of Canada / Gouvernment du Canada. Recovered from canada.ca.
Government of Canada. (sf). National Flag of Canada. Government of Canada / Gouvernment du Canada. Recovered from canada.ca.
Smith, W. (2017). Flag of Canada. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Recovered from britannica.com.
Stanley, G. (1965). The Story of Canada's Flag: A Historical Sketch. Ryerson Press. Recovered from people.stfx.ca

FLAG OF CANADA: HISTORY AND MEANING - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025