Flag of Canada
The Canadian Flag
| |
Proportion | 1∶2 |
---|---|
Adopted | February 15, 1965 |
Design | A vertical triband of red (hoist-side and fly-side) and white (double width) with the red maple leaf centred on the white band. |
Designed by | George F. G. Stanley |
The National Flag of Canada (
In 1964, Prime Minister
The Canadian Red Ensign was in unofficial use since the 1860s and officially approved by a 1945 Order in Council for use "wherever place or occasion may make it desirable to fly a distinctive Canadian flag".[5][6] Also, the Royal Union Flag remains an official flag in Canada, to symbolize Canada's allegiance to the monarch and membership in the Commonwealth of Nations.[7] There is no law dictating how the national flag is to be treated, but there are conventions and protocols to guide how it is to be displayed and its place in the order of precedence of flags, which gives it primacy over the aforementioned and most other flags.
Many different flags created for use by Canadian officials, government bodies, and military forces contain the maple leaf motif in some fashion, either by having the Canadian flag charged in the canton or by including maple leaves in the design. The Canadian flag also appears on the government's wordmark.
Origins and design
The flag is horizontally symmetric and therefore the obverse and reverse sides appear identical. The width of the Maple Leaf flag is twice the height. The white field is a Canadian pale (a central band occupying half the width of a vertical triband flag, rather than a third of the width, named for its use in this flag);[8] each bordering red field is exactly half its size[9] and it bears a stylized red maple leaf at its centre. In heraldic terminology, the flag's blazon as outlined on the original royal proclamation is "gules on a Canadian pale argent a maple leaf of the first".[10][12]
The
By proclaiming the Royal Arms of Canada, King George V in 1921 made red and white the official colours of Canada; the former came from Saint George's Cross and the latter from the French royal emblem since King Charles VII.[20] These colours became "entrenched" as the national colours of Canada upon the proclamation of the Royal Standard of Canada (the Canadian monarch's personal flag) in 1962.[21] The Department of Canadian Heritage has listed the various colour shades for printing ink that should be used when reproducing the Canadian flag; these include:[9]
- FIP red: General Printing Ink, No. 0-712;
- Inmont Canada Ltd., No. 4T51577;
- Monarch Inks, No. 62539/0
- Rieger Inks, No. 25564
- Sinclair and Valentine, No. RL163929/0.
The number of points on the leaf has no special significance;[22] the number and arrangement of the points were chosen after wind tunnel tests showed the current design to be the least blurry of the various designs when tested under high-wind conditions.[23]
The image of the maple leaf used on the flag was designed by Jacques Saint-Cyr;
The Flag of Canada is represented as the Unicode emoji sequence U+1F1E8 🇨 REGIONAL INDICATOR SYMBOL LETTER C, U+1F1E6 🇦 REGIONAL INDICATOR SYMBOL LETTER A.[28]
History
Early flags
The
As the de facto British national flag, the Union Flag (commonly known as the "Union Jack") was used similarly in Canada from the time of British settlement in Nova Scotia after 1621.[34][35] Its use continued after Canada's legislative independence from the United Kingdom in 1931 until the adoption of the current flag in 1965.[6][36]
Shortly after Canadian Confederation in 1867, the need for distinctive Canadian flags emerged. The first Canadian flag was that then used as the flag of the governor general of Canada, a Union Flag with a shield in the centre bearing the quartered arms of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, surrounded by a wreath of maple leaves.[37] In 1870, the Red Ensign, with the addition of the Canadian composite shield in the fly, began to be used unofficially on land and sea[38] and was known as the Canadian Red Ensign. As new provinces joined the Confederation, their arms were added to the shield. In 1892, the British admiralty approved the use of the Red Ensign for Canadian use at sea.[38]
The composite shield was replaced with the
By the
Great Flag Debate
By the 1960s, the debate for an official Canadian flag intensified and became a subject of controversy, culminating in the Great Flag Debate of 1964.
In 1961, Leader of the Opposition Lester Pearson asked
A new all-party committee was formed in September 1964, comprising seven Liberals, five Conservatives, one
There, near the parade square, in March 1964, while viewing the college flag atop the Mackenzie Building, Stanley, then RMC's Dean of Arts, first suggested to Matheson, then Member of Parliament for Leeds, that the RMC flag should form the basis of the national flag. The suggestion was followed by Stanley's memorandum of March 23, 1964, on the history of Canada's emblems,[51] in which he warned that any new flag "must avoid the use of national or racial symbols that are of a divisive nature" and that it would be "clearly inadvisable" to create a flag that carried the Union Flag or a fleur-de-lis. According to Matheson, Pearson's one "paramount and desperate objective" in introducing the new flag was to keep Quebec in the Canadian union.[52] It was Stanley's idea that the new flag should be red and white and that it should feature the single maple leaf; his memorandum included the first sketch of what would become the flag of Canada. Stanley and Matheson collaborated on a design that was, after six months of debate and 308 speeches,[38] passed by a majority vote in the House of Commons on December 15, 1964. Just after this, at 2:00 am, Matheson wrote to Stanley: "Your proposed flag has just now been approved by the Commons 163 to 78. Congratulations. I believe it is an excellent flag that will serve Canada well."[53] The Senate added its approval two days later.[20]
Proclamation
After the resolutions proposing a new national flag for Canada were passed by the two houses of parliament, a proclamation was drawn up for signature by the Queen of Canada. This was created in the form of an illuminated document on vellum, with calligraphy by Yvonne Diceman and heraldic illustrations. The text was rendered in black ink, using a quill, while the heraldic elements were painted in gouache with gilt highlights. The Great Seal of Canada was embossed and secured by a silk ribbon.[54]
This parchment was signed discreetly by the calligrapher but was made official by the signatures of Queen
Adoption
The new national flag was inaugurated on February 15 of the same year at an official ceremony held on
At the time of the 50th anniversary of the flag, the government—held by the Conservative Party—was criticized for the lack of an official ceremony dedicated to the date; accusations of partisanship were levelled.[56] Minister of Canadian Heritage Shelly Glover denied the charges and others, including Liberal Members of Parliament, pointed to community events taking place around the country.[56] Governor General David Johnston did, though, preside at an official ceremony at Confederation Park in Ottawa, integrated with Winterlude. He said "[t]he National Flag of Canada is so embedded in our national life and so emblematic of our national purpose that we simply cannot imagine our country without it."[58] Queen Elizabeth II stated: "On this, the 50th anniversary of the National Flag of Canada, I am pleased to join with all Canadians in the celebration of this unique and cherished symbol of our country and identity."[59] A commemorative stamp and coin were issued by Canada Post and the Royal Canadian Mint, respectively.[58]
Alternative flags
As a symbol of the nation's membership in the
The Royal Union Flag is also part of the provincial
The
The Red Ensign is occasionally still used as well, including official use at some ceremonies. It was flown at the commemorations of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 2007.[62][63] This decision elicited criticism from those who believed it should not have been given equal status to the Canadian flag and received praise from people who believed that it was important to retain the ties to Canada's past.[62][63] The Royal Union Flag and Red Ensign are still flown in Canada by veterans' groups and others who continue to stress the importance of Canada's British heritage and the Commonwealth connection.[60]
In
Protocol
No law dictates the proper use of the Canadian flag. Canadian Heritage has released guidelines on how to correctly display the flag alone and with other flags. The guidelines deal with the order of precedence in which the Canadian flag is placed, where the flag can be used, how it is used, and what people should do to honour the flag. The suggestions, titled Flag Etiquette in Canada, were published by Canadian Heritage in a book and online formats and last updated in August 2011.
The flag itself can be displayed on any day at buildings operated by the Government of Canada, airports, military bases, and diplomatic offices, as well as by citizens, during any time of the day. When flying the flag, it should be flown using its own pole and should not be inferior to other flags, save for, in descending order, the
Promoting the flag
Since the adoption of the Canadian flag in 1965, the Canadian government has sponsored programs to promote it. Examples include the
Since 1996, February 15 has been commemorated as National Flag of Canada Day.[55] In 1996, Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps instituted the One in a Million National Flag Challenge.[79] Canadian Heritage put the expenses at $15.5 million, with approximately a seventh of the cost offset by donations.[80]
See also
References
- ^ "National flag of Canada". Government of Canada. September 11, 2017.
- ^ Matheson 1980, p. 177
- ^ "The history of the National Flag of Canada". Government of Canada. August 28, 2017.
- ^ Richard Foot (February 13, 2014). "The Stanley Flag". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on July 25, 2017.
- ISBN 0-7705-0861-8.
- ^ a b c "First "Canadian flags"". Department of Canadian Heritage. September 24, 2007. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008.
- ^ Ken Reynolds (April 21, 1965). "Royal Union Flag (Union Jack)". The Canadian Encyclopedia.
- ^ Nelson, Phil (January 2, 2010). "Dictionary of Vexillology". Flags Of The World website. CANADIAN PALE.
- ^ a b c "The National Flag of Canada: Colours Specification". Department of Canadian Heritage. January 1, 2003. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008.
- ^ "Description of the Proclamation by Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second which formalized the National Flag of Canada in 1965". Department of Canadian Heritage. December 13, 2013. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
- ^ "Registration of the National Flag of Canada". The Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada. Queen's Printer for Canada. March 15, 2005. Archived from the original on July 27, 2016. Retrieved May 18, 2010.
- ^ The flag was later registered with the Canadian Heraldic Authority on March 15, 2005 as "Gules on a Canadian pale Argent a maple leaf Gules".[11]
- ISBN 978-0-313-34500-5.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-55365-275-5.
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- ISBN 978-1-61212-211-3. Archivedfrom the original on July 4, 2014.
- ISBN 978-1-4426-1178-8. Archivedfrom the original on July 4, 2014.
- ^ "Understanding the Cemeteries and Monuments" (PDF). Canadian Military History (Wilfrid Laurier University). 2005. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 18, 2014.
- ^ a b c d "Birth of the Canadian flag". Department of Canadian Heritage. Archived from the original on February 24, 2010. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
- ISBN 9781554889808.
- ^ "You were asking..." Department of Canadian Heritage. Archived from the original on April 30, 2010. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
- ^ Matheson 1980
- ^ a b Archbold 2002
- ^ "The Eleven Point Maple Leaf". Canada's Four Corners. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
- ^ "Government of Canada FIP Signature". Industry Canada. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved August 7, 2012.
- ^ "National Flag of Canada Manufacturing Standards Act". Government of Canada. December 31, 2002. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 3, 2016.
- ^ "🇨🇦 Flag for Canada Emoji". Emojipedia. Archived from the original on June 6, 2017.
- ^ New York State Historical Association (1915). Proceedings of the New York State Historical Association with the Quarterly Journal: 2nd-21st Annual Meeting with a List of New Members. The Association.
It is most probable that the Bourbon Flag was used during the greater part of the occupancy of the French in the region extending southwest from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi, known as New France... The French flag was probably blue at that time with three golden fleur - de - lis ....
- ^ "Fleur-de-lys | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca.
At the time of New France (1534 to the 1760s), two flags could be viewed as having national status. The first was the banner of France — a blue square flag bearing three gold fleurs-de-lys. It was flown above fortifications in the early years of the colony. For instance, it was flown above the lodgings of Pierre Du Gua de Monts at Île Sainte-Croix in 1604. There is some evidence that the banner also flew above Samuel de Champlain's habitation in 1608. ..... the completely white flag of the French Royal Navy was flown from ships, forts and sometimes at land-claiming ceremonies.
- ^ "INQUINTE.CA | CANADA 150 Years of History ~ The story behind the flag". inquinte.ca.
When Canada was settled as part of France and dubbed "New France," two flags gained national status. One was the Royal Banner of France. This featured a blue background with three gold fleurs-de-lis. A white flag of the French Royal Navy was also flown from ships and forts and sometimes flown at land-claiming ceremonies.
- ^ W. Stewart Wallace (1948). The Encyclopedia of Canada, Vol. II, Toronto, University Associates of Canada. pp. 350–351.
During the French régime in Canada, there does not appear to have been any French national flag in the modern sense of the term. The "Banner of France", which was composed of fleur-de-lys on a blue field, came nearest to being a national flag, since it was carried before the king when he marched to battle, and thus in some sense symbolized the kingdom of France. During the later period of French rule, it would seem that the emblem...was a flag showing the fleur-de-lys on a white ground.... as seen in Florida. There were, however, 68 flags authorized for various services by Louis XIV in 1661; and a number of these were doubtless used in New France
- ^ "National Flag and Emblems". Portrait of Québec. Government of Quebec. October 12, 2006. Archived from the original on June 11, 2008. Retrieved April 20, 2008.
- ^ "Foreign flags in Canada". Government of Canada. May 8, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Royal Union Flag". The Flags of Canada. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ "Early flags". Government of Canada. August 28, 2017. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
- ^ a b Fraser, Alistair B. (January 30, 1998). "A Canadian Flag for Canada". The flags of Canada. Archived from the original on September 15, 2008. Retrieved April 20, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "National Flag of Canada". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ Archbold 2002, p. 61
- ^ "Proposed Flag for Canada: Anatole Vanier, 1927". Office of the Governor General of Canada: Canadian Heraldic Authority. March 20, 2008.
- ^ "Proposed Flag for Canada: Gérard Gallienne, 1931". Office of the Governor General of Canada: Canadian Heraldic Authority. March 20, 2008.
- ^ "Proposed Flag for Canada: Ephrem Côté". Office of the Governor General of Canada: Canadian Heraldic Authority. March 20, 2008.
- ^ "The Flag Debate". Mount Allison University. Archived from the original on April 24, 2008. Retrieved April 17, 2008.
- ^ "The history of the National Flag of Canada". www.canada.ca. Government of Canada. February 4, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ "The Great Flag Debate". CBC. Archived from the original on December 23, 2008. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
- ^ a b Thorner 2003, p. 524
- ^ "The Great Canadian Flag Debate". CBC. Archived from the original on April 4, 2008. Retrieved March 31, 2008.
- ^ Ron Corbett (June 30, 2013). "Flag designer recalls how he came up with the Maple Leaf design". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
- ^ Iain Reeve (May 21, 2007). "Wrong turns on the road of symbolism". The Peak. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
- ^ "Canadian Heritage Flags". Canadian Heritage. Archived from the original on November 2, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
- ^ "George F.G. Stanley's Flag Memorandum to John Matheson, 23 March 1964 (includes Dr. Stanley's original sketches for the Canadian Flag)". Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
- ^ Eva Mackey (2002). The House of Difference. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. p. 56.
- ^ "Dr. George F.G. Stanley". St Francis Xavier University. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
- ^ a b Grace, John (1990). Library and Archives Canada (ed.). "Conserving the Proclamation of the Canadian Flag". The Archivist. National Archives of Canada. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
- ^ a b c "The National Flag of Canada; A symbol of Canadian Identity". Department of Canadian Heritage. Archived from the original on April 15, 2012. Retrieved February 15, 2007.
- ^ a b c Milewiski, Terry (February 15, 2015). "Canada's flag debate flaps on, 50 years later". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on February 15, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
- ^ "The real story behind the Canadian Flag". The National. February 16, 2015. Archived from the original on March 31, 2016 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "Governor General to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the National Flag of Canada". Office of the Governor General of Canada. February 15, 2015. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015.
- ^ "Message from Her Majesty The Queen on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the National Flag of Canada". Office of the Governor General of Canada. February 15, 2015. Archived from the original on February 16, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ a b c d e "The Royal Union Flag". Department of Canadian Heritage. January 1, 2003. Archived from the original on May 6, 2006.
- ^ | url= https://www.canadiancrown.com/did-you-know.html }}
- ^ a b "Globe Editorial: Red Ensign". The Globe and Mail. March 31, 2007. Archived from the original on January 9, 2008. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
- ^ a b Peritz, Ingrid (July 9, 2007). "Dallaire slams decision to fly Red Ensign". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved April 13, 2008.
- ^ "Flag and emblems of Québec, An Act respecting the, R.S.Q. D-12.1". CanLii. September 1, 2004. Archived from the original on March 7, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2008.
- ^ McGinn, Dave (2011). "Why don't more Canadians fly the flag?". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on July 6, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Danny Williams ordered Canadian flags taken down from provincial government buildings to protest against a deal with the federal government on sharing offshore royalties.
- ^ Pellerin, Brigitte (February 25, 2022). "When the Quebec and Canadian flags fly together at a protest, there's something strange in the wind". The Ottawa Citizen. Ontario.
I'm from Quebec City and I can tell you how rare it is to see a Canadian flag there.
- ^ "QUEBEC'S ATHLETES BLAME FLAG FOR OLYMPIC 'DISTRESS'". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Florida. March 14, 1998. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023.
Quebeckers have never particularly warmed to the Maple Leaf, which is not widely displayed in the province dominated by French-speakers.
- ^ "Am I the only one ..." Our Heritage. Canada: University of Lethbridge. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
In some parts of quebec you can't fly a canadian flag,that's okay
- ^ "Position of honour of the National Flag of Canada". August 15, 2017. Archived from the original on September 12, 2017.
Quebec has decreed that on all buildings under its authority within the province of Quebec, whether it be those of government departments, boards, schools or others, as well as on city halls, the provincial flag of Quebec is given precedence over the National Flag of Canada and must occupy the place of honour.
- ^ "Montreal isn't properly following Quebec's flag protocol: complainants". The Canadian Press. Canada: Global News. June 7, 2018.
- ^ Mignacca, Franca G. "Sûreté du Québec flies pride flag outside their headquarters for first time". CBC News. Archived from the original on August 10, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
- DePalma, Anthony (November 26, 1997). "Quebec Journal; To Some Canadians, the Maple Leaf Is a Red Flag". The New York Times. New York. Archived from the originalon May 27, 2015.
Jean-Paul L'Allier, has prohibited the Canadian Maple Leaf from officially flying in front of City Hall since 1990. It was a symbolic retalitation for the defeat, by the rest of Canada, of a constitutional amendment that would have recognized Quebec's special place within the Canadian confederation.
- ^ "1701 Rue Parthenais · 1701 Rue Parthenais, Montréal, QC H2K 4S8, Canada".
- ^ "Rules for Flying the Flag". Department of Canadian Heritage. August 5, 2011. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
- ^ "Process for the Ceremonial Folding of the National Flag of Canada". Directorate of History and Heritage – National Defence Canada. April 23, 2008. Archived from the original on November 18, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2009.
- ^ "The Honours, Flags and Heritage Structure of the Canadian Forces" (PDF). Department of National Defence. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 25, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2008.
- ^ "Administration of the Parliamentary Flag Program". Department of Canadian Heritage. January 1, 2003. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved May 20, 2006.
- ^ "Request a flag online (new request) - Canada's Parliamentary Precinct". Government of Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
- ^ Dee, Duncan (February 19, 1996). "Heritage Minister Sheila Copps Launches "One In A Million National Flag" Campaign". Department of Canadian Heritage. Archived from the original on March 12, 2007.
- ^ Arnsby, Julia (February 15, 1997). "Canadians Meet the "One in a Million National Flag" Challenge". Department of Canadian Heritage. Archived from the original on May 16, 2007.
Bibliography
- Archbold, Rick (2002). I Stand For Canada. Macfarlane Walter & Ross. ISBN 1-55199-108-X.
- Levine, Allan. "The Great Flag Debate" Canada’s History 94#6 (2014–15): 32–37
- Matheson, Col. John R. (1980). Canada's Flag: A Search for a Country. Mika Publishing Company. ISBN 0-919303-01-3.
- Stanley, George F.G. (1965). The Story of Canada's Flag: A Historical Sketch. Ryerson Press.
- Thompson, Hugh (2002). Canada. ISBN 0-7894-9561-9.
- Thorner, Thomas (2003). A Country Nourished on Self-Doubt: Documents in Post-Confederation Canadian History. Broadview Press. ISBN 1-55111-548-4.
External links
- National Flag of Canada – Department of Canadian Heritage
- National Flag of Canada etiquette – Department of Canadian Heritage
- Flags (Heritage Minutes) – Historica Canada
- George F.G. Stanley's Flag Memorandum to John Matheson – St. Francis Xavier University
- John Matheson's postcard to George Stanley – St. Francis Xavier University
- Royal Proclamation – Library and Archives Canada
- Canada at Flags of the World
- The Great Canadian Flag Debate – CBC Digital Archives
- "The People's Choice: Seeking the origins of the Maple Leaf flag, finding the soul of our nation" – W5 (CTV)
- "The Maple Leaf Forever?" – The Agenda (TVO)