O Canada, Happy Flag Day

Beautiful and distinctive, Canada’s national flag is a relatively young emblem dating to the 15th  day of  February in 1965.  Before that, versions of the British Red Ensign found use in Canada.  Although these flags displayed the French fleur-de-lis on the Canadian shield, the symbolism appeared clearly British.  French speaking Canada wanted a new flag while the English speaking majority remained staunchly attached to the Red Ensign. After several decades of debate, the current flag found approval as a standard that could unite the British and French segments along with the many diverse groups that now make up Canadian society.  Maurice Bourget, a former Speaker of the Canadian Senate, explained it this way, “The flag is the symbol of the nation’s unity, for it, beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of Canada without distinction of race, language, belief or opinion.”