1. CANADA 1945- 1967 Birth of the Canadian Flag

3. Introduction Change, change and more change Quebec- The Quiet Revolution- take control of its affairs away from English control 1960’s would create national focus on education, welfare and health 1961- Three Separatist groups within Canada existed

5. Introduction 1963- Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism 1969 Official Languages Act (PM Trudeau) Decade of social and political protest Nuclear tests and protests Hippies Vietnam War

7. Introduction US and Canadian Relations- decent- Auto Pact Canada pension Plan 1966 Medicare 1968 EI- 1969 Social Insurance Cards 1964 1969- Change in Criminal Code – more liberal and open society 1967 World Expo 1967 French President Charles de Gaulle- “Vive le Quebec libre”

9. Focus: Canadian identity PM Mackenzie King- 1940’s- suggested that Canada should have a flag of its own 1920’s- 1940’s Red Ensign Veterans wanted to keep the Union Jack or another symbol of Britain Many Canadians however felt it was time to have a more modern identifiable flag, one not just for British ancestors but for the future of Canada Quebec

10. Focus: Canadian identity 1963 PM Lester B. Pearson (who won a Nobel peace prize) “settle the flag debate within two years” All Canadians could sketch and send in their ideas- a committee was also set up 1964 Diefenbaker (former PM) attacked Pearson’s idea Diefenbaker demanded a flag that respected the past and Pearson demanded a flag that looked forward that all Canadians could identify with

11. Focus: Canadian identity 5900 designs were submitted from 1963- 1964- a 15 member all party was created to examine and determine a choice See three finalists Historian George Stanley designed the final choice- single maple leaf with red bars on both sides *King George V- red and White were authorized as Canada’s official colours

15. Focus: Canadian identity Stanley’s reasons: - The first Canadiens used the Maple Leaf as an emblem - Canadians had in the past up to the 60’s wore it as a symbol - The maple leaf was on the coat of arms of Canada, Quebec and Ontario - The maple leaf was not a symbol of any other country - It stands out, even from a distance - It avoids racial symbols which could be divisive

16. Activity See handout from “Creating Canada: A History 1914 to the Present” pg. 337