It’s time to celebrate. Celebrate Canada’s Flag Day on Monday.
The birth of Canada’s flag wasn’t an easy one.
It came in 1967 following a battle between former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker who favoured retaining the Red Ensign with the Union Jack in the upper left corner and Prime Minister Lester Pearson whose goal was to have a new distinctive flag for Canada on its 100th birthday in 1967.
In a statement, the Hastings County Historical Society outlines its belief that “every Canadian should be aware of the origins of our great flag, how it was created and who was responsible both for its creation and for its design.”
President of the Society Richard Hughes says:
“The bold and beautiful red and white flag that we are so proud to call our own, came into existence 56 years ago through a bitter and emotional debate both in Parliament, pitting former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker against then Prime Minister Lester Pearson, and in the cities and towns across Canada. Many loyal citizens, particularly veterans, held firmly to the Red Ensign. In fact, debate on the flag in Parliament was concluded only by the government of the day forcing a final vote through the use of closure. Today we are thankful for the foresight and determination of that government.“
Three years earlier, in 1964, Pearson referred the issue to an all-party committee of 15 members which came up with three finalists, each with the maple leaf in different designs.
While Pearson favoured a design with three maple leaves, the final choice was for the single prominent maple leaf on a white background with borders of solid red.
The new design was proposed by George F/G.Stanley, Head of the Department of History at the Royal Military College in Kingston.
Graphics designer Jacques St. Cyr added two small modifications, straightening the stem and reducing the leaf’s points from 13 to 11, to arrive at the clean crisp image of today.
The final parliamentary debate lasted 33 days with 252 speeches.
The government was forced to invoke closure to end the debate and move to a vote.
On December 15, 1964, by a vote of 163 to 78, the new flag was adopted.
Queen Elizabeth proclaimed the new flag on January 28, 1965.
The new flag was inaugurated on February 15, 1965.
