Unit 4 Lesson 6 Canada New Maple Leaf Flag
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Transcript Unit 4 Lesson 6 Canada New Maple Leaf Flag
History of Canada
Canada’s Maple Leaf Flag
Before 1965, Canada’s
official flag was the Union
Jack, Britain’s national flag.
At the same time, the Red
Ensign (the Old) with the
Union Jack in one corner
and the Canadian Coat of
Arms in another corner
together on a red
background was raised on
Canadian flagpoles.
History of Canada
Canada’s Maple Leaf Flag
In 1948, Quebec adopted the
fleur-de-lys as its provincial
flag.
Quebec was stating its
nationalist intentions within
Canada’s federation.
On June 24, Quebec
celebrates St. Jean Baptiste
Day. It is the “light of the
world” event.
History of Canada
Canada’s Maple Leaf Flag
During the 1956 Suez Crisis,
Britain had invaded Egypt to
try and prevent Egypt from
nationalizing the Egyptian oil
industry.
To maintain peace, Canada
sent troops as part of the UN
peacekeeping force.
The Egyptians protested the
clear British elements on
Canada’s Red Ensign flag.
History of Canada
Canada’s Maple Leaf Flag
Canada needed a new flag to reflect
its growing identity.
Canada was a Middle Power in world
organizations such as the United
Nations. A distinct flag was needed
to describe Canada’s role.
Canada was also a growing
multicultural society.
The Prime Minister was Liberal
Lester B. Pearson.
History of Canada
Canada’s Maple Leaf Flag
The new designs would
purposefully have to avoid…
Symbols, events or word in
English and French…Canada had
“two founding nations” to
represent
Religious symbols…Canada
was a growing multicultural
society with many religions
History of Canada
Canada’s Maple Leaf Flag
A number of different designs were
considered.
The Maple Leaf was used because it
was already used as a symbol in
Canada’s army.
A “sea-to-sea” design was wanted.
That design had blue borders (sea) with
three joined maple leaves.
The final flag was designed by
George F.G. Stanley. It was based on
the flag flown at RMC in Kingston.
History of Canada
Canada’s Maple Leaf Flag
Using a filibuster delay in Parliament
(a filibuster means talking endlessly
to prevent other government work
until the bill (proposed law) is
dropped), John Diefenbaker’s
Conservatives stated their
objections for 33 days.
It looked like a new flag design
would not be selected before the
government stopped working for a
period. In effect, this would “kill” the
action.
History of Canada
Canada’s Maple Leaf Flag
Closure was used. Closure is a rule to
limit the amount of time to discuss a
bill. Debate ended at 02:30 on 15
December 1964. The bill passed, and
MPs rose to their feet to sing O
Canada.
Senate approval was granted two days
later.
Royal Assent was granted 28 January
1965 and the new flag was officially
unveiled on 15 February 1965. This
day is officially Flag Day in Canada.