FLAG DEBATE

Canadian Flag Committee 1964 Lester B. Pearson suggested finally adopting a design for a distinctly Canadian flag Was this a good idea? What were we using as a flag before this? What should a flag do? What are the problems associated with picking a flag?

Canadian Flag Proposals The following are some of the proposals that were submitted by Canadians of all walks of life to be our national flag These are the REAL, hand-drawn suggestions that Canadians sent in, and their REAL rationales! How do they differ from one another? What distinctive features of nationalism are represented in each one?

Canadian Red Ensign Used up until 1965 and for a large portion of Canadian history

Canadian Flag Proposals  A project for a Canadian flag showing our origins and representing our different ethnic groups….. WHY NOT?

Canadian Flag Proposals  RED: The colour of the maple leaf is the red of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ceremonial tunic, representing Justice and The Rule of Law. WHITE: The white circle symbolizes The World, representing the many lands whence our varied peoples have come. BLUE: The United Nations blue background represents Canada's general awareness of her increasing international obligations. It emphasizes her faith and willingness to participate in world councils whose aims are peace, human progress and the brotherhood of all men.

Canadian Flag Proposals  Distinctive. Suggesting clarity and vigour. Transcending all divisive 'blocs.' "Blessed are the peacemakers."

Canadian Flag Proposals  This design incorporates the symbols of the two founding races of Canada, but above all we are Canadians, and this is represented by the Maple Leaf.

Canadian Flag Proposals Blue Bars - "Sea to Sea"; Golden Yellow Background - Grain Fields of the Prairies; Maple Leaf - Symbol of all provinces; Beaver - A National Emblem, also a Dedication to Lord Beaverbrook.

Canadian Flag Proposals  United by both crosses appealing to us by reaching, and circle shows togetherness. 10 Maple Leafs could be placed on blue bars, 5 on each side or all ten on one (for Provinces). Symbol looks good with or without blue bars.

Canadian Flag Proposals  enclose what looks like a sensible flag for internal use in Canada. It is not cumulative like that of the U.S.A. It is simple so that a child can draw it. It has colours to please both French and British. White represents the frozen north and purity; Red, a mature colour; Blue for fidelity, and oceans if you like. The red ensign should be retained for air and sea use! The Union Jack should not be scrapped! A flag that represents the polyglot that is Canada today is need for unity. One leaf, one disc, and one colour surrounding it. It smacks of Canada, and only Canada.  The old cliche that there is strength in unity still holds today, and we should all do our best to show the world that Canadians can live together peacefully, successfully, and with high respect and tolerance for each other's ways.

Canadian Flag Proposals  The top green strip portrays in the background the Rocky Mountains of the West and the Laurentians of the East....The second strip of yellow gold depicts the growing grain for which Canada is famous...The third strip describes untold numbers of rivers and thousands of lakes...the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Arctic....The coats of arms of the ten provinces which make up Canada are in the shape of an arc and depicts its beginning and origin. Even the shape of the arc has a meaning - freedom, better life and individualism for all those who want to make Canada their new country.

Canadian Flag Proposals Colours: Azure blue of our skies....White: typically emblematic of Canada is the immensurable expanse of snow, some of it eternal, covering our entire territory up to our remote North Pole. Hence, Snow White should have the largest space in our new flag. Red: the emblematic red on this flag symbolizes "Love and Courage" or again "Love and Valiance."Star: the Polar star, or North star.

Canadian Flag Proposals  The “Pearson Pennant”  Favoured design of Prime Minister Pearson  Maple Leafs=symbol of Canada, White=peace, Blue Bars=Sea to Sea