History of the Canadian Flag: Red Ensign, Great Flag Debate & the 1965 Maple Leaf
How Canada moved from the Union Jack and Canadian Red Ensign to the single 11-point maple leaf first raised on February 15, 1965.
Before the Maple Leaf
Canada did not always have a distinctive national flag of its own. The Union Jack held formal status, while versions of the Canadian Red Ensign became widely used as Canadian symbols. The Red Ensign carried the Union Jack in the canton and Canada’s shield in the fly.
The Great Flag Debate of 1964
Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson pushed for a new national flag before the 1967 Centennial. The issue produced intense debate in Parliament and across the country. A parliamentary committee reviewed many proposals and on October 22, 1964 selected George F. G. Stanley’s single-maple-leaf concept.
Parliamentary approval
The House of Commons approved the design in December 1964, followed by the Senate. The final graphic treatment used a stylized 11-point maple leaf for clarity at a distance.
1965 proclamation and first raising
Queen Elizabeth II signed the royal proclamation on January 28, 1965. The new flag was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill on February 15, 1965. Since 1996, February 15 has been observed as National Flag of Canada Day.
Why the change mattered
The new flag replaced a long-running mix of British and Canadian symbols with a simple emblem centred on the maple leaf, which had already been associated with Canada since the nineteenth century.
FAQ
What flag did Canada use before 1965?
The Union Jack had official standing, while the Canadian Red Ensign was widely used as a Canadian flag.
When was the current Canadian flag first raised?
February 15, 1965, on Parliament Hill.
What was the Great Flag Debate?
It was the political and public debate in 1964 over selecting a new national flag for Canada.
