The Great Canadian Flag Debate Because a country’s flag is one of its greatest symbols, its design and colors can be a subject of great debate. This is the story of the Canadian flag and how it came to be.

Props, Preparations, & Tips

• This is a copy of the complete activity for the facilitator to present. Check the links in the article for additional information to bring to the activity.

• Pictures can be printed and passed around during the activity or displayed on a computer or television.

• Print copies of the Canadian Provinces and Territories puzzle for participants to solve.

• Check the Additional Activities section for other ideas to bring to the activity.

The Great Canadian Flag Debate Introduction

Did you know that Canada, an independent country since 1867, did not have an official national flag until 1965. In this activity, we learn about the history—and the controversy—of the Canadian flag.

An Historical Perspective

Canada became an independent country on July 1, 1867. At that time, the Union Jack (the national flag of Great Britain) was commonly flown in Canada, as well as a hybrid flag known as the Canadian Red Ensign.

The Canadian Red Ensign was generally recognizable, though it did not have an officially mandated form. It usually had a red background (although there was at least one version with a blue background) and featured the Union Jack in the upper left-hand corner. In addition, there was a coat of arms whose composition varied. Some versions included the coat of arms of the first four provinces of Canada: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Other versions included the coat of arms of England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Canada. Within a particular province, the flag may have displayed only the coat of arms of the province.

Through the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century, periodic attempts were made to codify the flag, but these resulted in division and acrimony and were soon abandoned.

Discussion Starters

• People often have strong feelings about symbols that are important to them. Why do you think that is?

• Attached are different versions of the Canadian Red Ensign. Do you think they are recognizable as the same flag? Do you see the differences?

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The Mighty Maple Leaf

By the mid-20th century, most Canadians favored the creation of a new flag. A poll taken in 1958 showed that 80% of Canadians wanted a flag that was different from any other nation, and 60% thought a maple leaf should be part of the pattern.

Why the maple leaf? By the early 1700s, the maple leaf had been adopted as an emblem by French Canadians. It continued to increase in popularity, and in 1834, the first mayor of Montreal declared the maple was “the king of our forest... and the symbol of the Canadian people.”

Over the next century, the maple leaf became a national symbol and was incorporated in the coat of arms of both Quebec and Ontario. It appeared on all coins during the 19th century and continued on the penny thereafter. The color of the symbolic maple leaf morphed from gold to green to red.

Discussion Starters

• Were you aware of the significance of the maple leaf to Canada?

• What are the national symbols of your country? Do you know why they are so important to your nation?

The Great Flag Controversy

Lester Pearson, the leader of the Liberal party, included the creation of a new national flag as part of his party’s platform in the early 1960s. During the 1963 elections, he promised a national flag within two years if he were re-elected. When he was elected prime minister, he set about to make good on his promise.

While the majority of Canadians wanted a new flag, it soon became apparent that there was deep division about how the new flag should look. Many Canadian Legionnaires felt the Union Jack should be incorporated in the new design, in honor of their service to their country under the old flag.

Pearson preferred a flag that featured only the maple leaf. His design included three conjoined red maple leaves on a white background, with blue bars on either side to symbolize the Canadian motto, “From Sea to Sea.” He introduced a resolution to adopt this flag into Parliament on June 15, 1964.

The opposition was swift and vehement. At issue was whether Canada should exclude its British roots from its national identity. Former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and his Conservative party constituents began a filibuster, arguing for the retention of the Canadian Red Ensign. The filibuster lasted until September 10, when Pearson agreed to refer the matter to a special flag committee.

Discussion Starters

• Are you surprised that the design of the Canadian flag was such a political hot-button issue?

• What do you think of the technique known as the filibuster, in which a person or a party obstructs a vote by engaging in prolonged speeches?

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Resolution, Including Political High Jinks

A committee was convened, and they were tasked with coming to unanimous agreement regarding a new national flag. Furthermore, they were instructed to complete their task within six weeks! Diefenbaker and the Conservatives saw this as a victory because no previous committee regarding a national flag had been able to come to a consensus.

Over the next six weeks, the committee, which was comprised of Conservative, Liberal, and minority party members, asked the public to submit their ideas for the new flag. Among many submitted designs was one by historian George Stanley. This featured a single red maple leaf on a white background, flanked by two red borders.

Over 35 lengthy meetings were held. Finally, the decision was narrowed to either the Pearson or the Stanley flag. The Conservatives assumed the Liberals would back the Pearson flag, so they backed the Stanley version. However, the Liberals had already convinced all the other members to vote for the Stanley flag as well, and so the committee had a unanimous vote!

The Conservatives were furious at being outmaneuvered, and in the House of Commons, Diefenbaker launched another filibuster. The debate continued for six more weeks, and the press began referring to it as “The Great Flag Farce.”

Finally, the filibuster was broken and a vote was taken. By a vote of 163 to 78, the Stanley flag became the national flag of Canada.

Discussion Starters

• Do you like the flag of Canada? What are its strengths? What, in your opinion, does it lack, if anything?

• Do you feel your country’s flag includes symbols that are important to your citizens? Why or why not?

Additional Activities

Watch a newscast from 1963, which includes Lester Pearson speaking to the need for a new flag.

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©ActivityConnection.com – The Great Canadian Flag Debate (Pictures)

Current Canadian Flag Lester Pearson’s Flag

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The Canadian Red Ensign

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CanadianProvincesandTerritoriesMatch the flag to the Canadian province or territory.

A. Quebec ____

B. Nunavut ____

C. Nova Scotia ____

D. Ontario ____

E. Prince Edward Island ____

F. Northwest Territories ____

G. New Brunswick ____

H. Yukon ____

I. Alberta ____

J. British Columbia ____

K. Manitoba ____

L. Saskatchewan ____

M. Newfoundland and Labrador ____

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CanadianProvincesandTerritories(solution)

A. Quebec – 3

B. Nunavut – 10

C. Nova Scotia – 5

D. Ontario – 2

E. Prince Edward Island – 7

F. Northwest Territories – 8

G. New Brunswick – 6

H. Yukon – 12

I. Alberta – 4

J. British Columbia – 13

K. Manitoba – 9

L. Saskatchewan – 1

M. Newfoundland and Labrador – 11