The maple leaf, in red and white, was chosen as canadas flag after heated debate and was first unfurled on this day in 1965. The canadian flag is also known as the maple leaf flag and was inspired by the flag of the royal military college of canada. Glen robertgrant hodgins in chriss initial posting on the subject he referred to gold. The canadian flag debate began on june 15, 1964 when plans for a new flag design was proposed by prime minister lester b. The new brunswicker put his red pen to work to explain why the single maple leaf. Use colours which symbolize important canadian traits too, either things like red for britain, or blue for water and white for france and snow.
The flag of ontario is the provincial flag of ontario, canada. The man who wrote the book on the flag has no doubt about it. This flag was suggested by adelard godbout premier of quebec in 1936 and from 1939 to 1944 in 1947 for canada. Great canadian flag debate history of the canadian flag flag this. Canada, coat of arms of ontario, flag, flag institute, flag of canada. Newfoundland and labrador uses a flag that was derived from the union flag, with the union jack serving as the flag of newfoundland until 1980.
Typical were the claims and counter claims made by two canadian books. Another british flag used in canada was the red ensign. No stranger to controversy, political writer yves engler would strike. The house of commons got into a debate in the summer of 1964, where. Canadians born after the poisonous flag debate of 1964 may have little. The french nickname for the canadian flag is lunifolie, which means the oneleafed. The great canadian flag debate or great flag debate was a national debate that took place in 1963 and 1964 when a new design for the national flag of canada was chosen. A masonic minute the canadian maple leaf flag fiftieth. The union flag, and flags defaced with the union flag in its canton, like the canadian red ensign, continue to see use in canada in a private capacity. We take a look at the history of the canadian flag, from those used by the first european explorers to the presentday flag. The flag of canada also called the maple leaf is a red rectangular flag with a white block in the center that features a red maple leaf. The current stylised maple leaf was a creation of the 1964 flag debate. Because this is a chance to show your understanding of canada and canadian symbols, not a test of your artistic ability, you will write a description of your new flag. Okay, the maple leaf has been a symbol for canada and canadians for a.
This flag is a result of a big flag debate which took place in 1964 when a new design for the. The drive to estabish a madeincanada flag began in the 1920s with prime minister wiliam lyon mackenzie king. The canadian flag debate took place in 1964, when a design for a new canadian flag was selected in the mid1960s. Great canadian flag debate news newspapers books scholar jstor december.
Oct 24, 2009 the canadian army, not having a distinctive flag for themselves started to use the red ensign with the shield of the coat of arms of canada in january 1944. The flag debate divided english canadians between imperialists who wanted to keep the red ensign, and nationalists who wanted a new flag. Opposition leader john diefenbaker demanded that the flag honour canadas founding races and feature the union jack. While he could support a new flag, it must be one that kept the british connection. The long and often bitter debate over the new canadian flag began in the house of commons on 15 june 1964. Beautifully illustrated and dramatically told, this is the story of canadas most recognized visual emblem. The flag of ontario was developed from the old canadian red ensign which itself came from the british red ensign. The final outcome was a 16378 vote in favour of the national flag of canada being accepted as the canadian maple leaf flag on december 15 th. Canadian flag for canadian thanksgiving by loretta smith the canadian flag was a wonderful centerpiece for our celebration of canadian thanksgiving. And those who werent around for the canadian flag debate of the mid1960s may find it difficult to believe how controversial the adoption of this seemingly innocuous flag truly was.
During the 1963 federal election campaign, liberal leader lester b. The great flag debate of 1964 climaxed one of the most exciting episodes in canadian history. Though pearson had called for a new design and pressured parliament to make a decision, his favored flag. For him is just one flag that can properly be flown. The main part of the debate was over whether they should exclude the union jack. Pearson eventually used the rules of closure to limit speeches to 20 minutes and force a vote on december 15, 1964. The flag was introduced in 1965 in the wake of lengthy debates on replacing the canadian red ensign with a new national flag. The canadian national flag was adopted by the canadian parliament on october 22, 1964 and was proclaimed into law by her majesty queen elizabeth ii the queen of canada on february 15, 1965 the certification of parliaments decision was made on jan.
Rick archbold detects a lack of enthusiasm in the present government for the 50th anniversary of the supposed end of the flag debate. Canadas flag debate flaps on, 50 years later cbc news. The great flag debate of 1964 was played out on that same field of emotions as the many other canadian flag controversies since confederation. The maple leaf has been adopted by national groups, placed on the coat of arms and used as the centerpiece of the nations flag. Pearson proposed his plans for a new flag in the house of commons. The clarity and striking design made it easily recognizable. The red ensign, called the canadian flag, with the canadian coat of arms in the field is proper only afloat. Cleat specifications are liberal but sharp edges on any part of the footwear will cause ejection of the footwear at the. Months of public and parliamentary debate resulted in approval december 1964 of the new maple leaf flag, which became official by royal proclamation on february 15, 1965, and is now broadly supported by the canadian population.
Retrace the events that lead to the creation of the national flag of canada and see. By the 1960s, debate for an official canadian flag intensified and became a subject of controversy, culminating in the great flag debate of 1964. About the book did the adoption of maple leaf flag save canada from breaking up. Even though canada had been independent of britain since july 1, 1867, all previous incarnations of canadas flags had included the british union jack. While the countrys fate hung in the balance, two largerthanlife antagonists fought for their political lives.
What does the maple leaf on the canadian flag represent. Search terms must be at least 3 characters in length. Shadbolts flag mural arrived in charlottetown in may of 1964 while canadians were still embroiled in a vigorous national debate about a new canadian flag. The canadian flag debate essay topics, sample papers. July 23, 2018 one man says he was having coffee with a friend when he saw a man with a handgun shoot a woman point blank, two or three times. The great canadian flag debate moments that matter. George stanley, dean of arts at the royal military college in kingston, proposed a single maple leaf on a field of white with red bars. Jack shadbolts 1964 flag mural and the canadian flag debate. The canadian heraldic authority, created in 1988, is the government body responsible for administering official heraldry in canada. This canadian history for kids exclusive, looks at the birth of our great flag it was a debate that lasted almost two years but on february 15, 1965, the maple leaf flag became the national flag. When prime minister lester pearson said canada needed a new flag, the suggestions were mixed with protest.
Pearson promised that if the liberals won the election, canada would have a new flag within two years. May 12, 2018 as rick archbold showed in his 2002 book, i stand for canada. The 11 points on the maple leaf emblem have no significance. Feb 14, 2015 canadas maple leaf flag born amid bitter debate. Flag debate, the debate over the proposed new canadian flag which opened in the house of commons 15 june 1964 and ended by closure 15 december 1964. His consideration of the canadian federation at that moment of reflection and transition with its 1967 centennial in sight, provided the starting point and subject for his mural. The canadian flag debate was a major controversy to canada because many thought it was about time for canada to have their own flag years after gaining their independence from britain. King decided to try to bring the issue of a distinctly canadian flag to the forefront of debate in parliament. The great canadian flag debate or great flag debate was a national debate that took place in 1963 and 1964 when a new design for the national flag of canada was chosen although the flag debate had been going on for a long time prior, it officially began on june 15, 1964, when prime minister lester b. It is a defaced red ensign, with the royal union flag in the canton and the ontario shield of arms in the fly. The socalled great canadian flag debate began on june 15, 1964 when prime minister lester b pearson proposed the design and selection of a new canadian flag. Great flag debate by having the prime minister invoke closure of the debate and call for a vote. Our canadian flag by maxine trottier and brian deines ages 412.
The official proclamation of the flag of canada is fairly vague, so clarifying the specifics of the canadian flag s design have been left up to the federal bureaucracy. The great canadian flag debate a look back at the great flag debate of 1964. The maple leaf on the flag in 1925, debate over a national flag began in the canadian privy council, a group of consultants for the british queen. In 1963, the minority liberal government of lester b.
Pearson insisted on a design that conveyed allegiance to canada while avoiding colonial association. User qalinangela uploaded this canada flag transparent flag of canada maple leaf great canadian flag debate png image on march 30, 2017, 8. Pearson gained power, and decided to adopt an official canadian flag through parliamentary debate. It was adopted as the national flag of canada in 1965. National flag of canada day the canadian homeschooler. Because there was a minority parliament, the liberal party could not just pass the bill for a new flag. The story of our flag annmaureen owens, jane yealland, bill slavin on. The great canadian flag debate by maya patel on prezi. Canad the great canadian flag debate 1421 words bartleby. While it was officially a naval flag used by canadian ships starting in the 1890s, the canadian red ensign a combination of the union jack and the shield of canada had been used unofficially both at sea and on land since the 1870s and was widely recognized as a national symbol. The resolution of this file is 1969x985px and its file size is. February 15, 1965 canadas new red and white maple leaf flag is inaugurated in a ceremony on parliament hill.
Flag of canada maple leaf great canadian flag debate, png. Additional information on the origin of the canadian flag. In 1996, february 15th was declared national flag of canada day where we celebrate the now iconic symbol of our nation. The maple leaf had already become a popular emblem of canadian national identity at home and abroad. No other decade has transformed canada quite like the sixties, it is due this that the sixties is the most significant decade in canadas vast history. The story of the maple leaf flag archbold, rick on. The story of the maple leaf flag is the history of canada as seen through the evolution of our national symbol. The great canadian flag debate had now officially begun. Feb 15, 2020 if you want to celebrate national flag of canada day by learning more about its storied past, including the long debate over its creation and design, check out some of these books in our tpl collections.
The great canadian flag debate the parliamentary debate on canadas proposed flag was lengthy and ugly. In the case of the canadian flag, i cannot entirely forget that it is both my flag and a passing imitation of a beer. As well as the creation of the canadian flag, there was also a great deal of importance behind the canadian flag debate itself within canada. Did the adoption of maple leaf flag save canada from breaking up. The national flag of national flag of canada day read more. Jun 25, 2018 the red maple leaf on the canadian flag is a symbol of pride and ambition of the people of canada. May 18, 2019 to understand any flag its helpful to understand its history and how it came to be. This canadian history for kids exclusive, looks at the birth of our great flag. Pearson to move forward with a new flag resulted in almost of year of often acrimonious debate. The current rules are set out in canadian general standards board standard cancgsb98.
The story of maple leaf flag and the great flag debate of 1964 to birth of the canadian flag in february 15th 1965 by accomplished writer rick archbold. Canada celebrates their national flag day on february 15 each yearand this year is particularly special. He wrote a book promoting his flag, called project of a distinct. Canadas official flag from 1867 had been britains union flag, although the red ensign with the canadian badge was regularly flown for qualified purposes. Advertisment cbc digital archives cbc butterfly logo. The canadian flag debate had a very interesting background and the canadians involvement towards the flag debate was just phenomenal.
The story of the maple leaf flag, that debate over the flag stands among the nastiest in our history. Jan 06, 2010 by the 1960s, however, debate for an official canadian flag intensified and became a subject of controversy, culminating in the great flag debate of 1964. The blazon, or heraldic description for the national flag of canada is gules on a canadian pale argent a maple leaf gules. A masonic minute the canadian maple leaf flag fiftieth anniversary the canadian maple leaf flag was adopted by parliament on december 16, 1964, officially proclaimed by her majesty queen elizabeth ii, and inaugurated on february 15, 1965, now observed in canada as national flag day, the adoption of the distinctive design emerged. It was a debate that lasted almost two years but on february 15, 1965, the maple leaf flag became the national flag of canada. By the 1960s, however, debate for an official canadian flag intensified and became a subject of controversy, culminating in the great flag debate of 1964. On june 15, 1964, he opened the great flag debate, with extensive historical. Affordable and search from millions of royalty free images, photos and vectors. Pearson laughed, shrugging off the interruptions and continuing with his speech.
The debate would rage for more than six months, cause acrimony in the house of commons, unleash an emotional debate among canadians everywhere, and, in the end, do little to unite the country. The flag, as one of the foremost symbols of a country, generally serves to promote national pride and unity. The great flag debate canadians respond with passion and dissension as the country seeks a new national symbol in 1963, canada embarked on a seemingly harmless attempt to create its own flag but. The great flag debate raged on for months in the house of commons. The introduction of the current canadian flag on february 15, 1965 is a moment which has a great deal of importance for the trajectory of canadian history. This marks the date of the first official raising of the flag over parliament back in 1965, after a long debate over which flag best represented the country. Pearson wanted the flag to represent canadas culture and heritage. Canadian flag education centre the history of the national. Canadas maple leaf flag born amid bitter debate the star. The remarkable speech and great debate that gave us our flag. From the federal governments first bid to create a new flag in 1925 to the flag debate of 1964, canadian citizens proposed thousands of designs. George stanley was pitching his idea for a new canadian flag even before government was officially looking for one.
This unique era transformed and continues to transform canada through occurrences such as the great canadian flag debate, the quiet revolution and through the occurrence known as trudeaumania. The biggest loser in the great canadian flag debate was the prime minister himself. Pearson gained power and decided to adopt an official canadian flag through parliamentary debate. Ottawas tribute to the canadian flag is embarrassing the. A year later, the maple leaf made its first appearance upon a canadian flag, albeit an. Before canada got a new flag, parliament ruminated at length and. This simple, childlike sketch in red ink is one of the first representations of what would become the canadian flag. Canadas flag canadian icons series by lesley evans ogden ages 38. But somehow the battle in 1964 loomed larger than life. But canadas flag design was greeted with complaints and protests when it was first introduced. Great canadian flag debate history of the canadian flag. But progress was not made until 1964, a few years before canadas centennial year. The great flag debate of 1964 climaxed one of the most exciting episodes in canadian. The winning flag was selected for the following reasons.