Written By John Bradley
The maple leaf has been a symbol of Canada since the 18th-century. Several different flags were used in Canada before our current National Flag. Since the first days of the European presence on Canadian soil, the flags of the European homelands, such as France, were displayed. The flags of British North America used in colonial Canada showcased ties to the British Empire. Both before and after Confederation in 1867, Canada used the United Kingdom’s Royal Union Flag, commonly known as
the Union Jack.
The Red Ensign adopted as flag of the Dominion of Canada until it was replaced with Maple Leaf flag in 1965. In 1957, the approved artistic interpretation of the coat of arms changed the maple leaves from green to red.
In 1964, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson formed a committee in order to decide on the official design of the Canadian flag
Pearson’s preferred choice for a new Canadian flag was this design, which was nicknamed “the Pearson Pennant”.
Red and white were named Canada’s official colours in the proclamation of the Royal Arms of Canada in 1921 by King George V.
There were 5,000 flag designs submitted and examined before Stanley’s design was chosen.
Dr. George Stanley, a professor at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, came up with the red and maple leaf design. The maple leaf design was inspired by the flag of The Royal Military College of Canada. Canada’s flag was forged at Royal Military College of Canada replacing the College emblem with a Maple Leaf.
The Canadian flag is twice as long as it is wide. No other national flag has those dimensions.
In 2005, one of the original maple leaf flags that flew over Parliament on February 15, 1966, was returned to Canada by its owner, Elisabeth Hoffmann-Lamoureux.
The flags flown on Parliament Hill are given away for free. But the waitlist for one is over 100 years!
The largest Canadian flag ever made was 38 metres by 76 metres and cost $15,000 to make.
