Canadian Flag

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A Canadian Flag

Published by

NATIONAL COUNCIL

NATIVE SONS OF CANADA

L. E. GENDRON,

National Secretary-Treasurer
Transcona, Man.

A CANADIAN FLAG

In the year 1869 by order of Sir John A.
Macdonald's government the Red Ensign with a
Canadian badge in the fly, was flown as our
official flag. This practice was continued for
35 years.

In 1904 by order of the Minister of Public
Works at that time, the Red Ensign was replaced
by the Union Jack.

In the year 1924, in order to distinguish offices
and buildings such as those of the Canadian
High Commissioner in London, and offices in
foreign capitals as in Tokyo, Washington and
Paris, the Red Ensign was authorized to be
flown on such buildings. This same flag is
authorized for use by Canada's merchant
marine. At the same time the Union Jack was
flown as our flag for use within Canada, though
never authorized by Parliament.

In any country (Canada excepted) the flag
represents sovereignty of that country's
government.

In the United Kingdom, sovereignty resides in
Parliament. The Union Jack then represents
the authority of the British government. ... It
is the proper flag to fly in any country under
the rule of that government. This includes the
United Kingdom and its dependencies.

Canada is not a dependent but is a self-
governing country. It is not proper therefore
to fly as OUR flag one which indicates sover-
eignty of another country.

The Red Ensign is primarily a British flag
flown by merchant vessels. It is used, however,
as the flag of many British colonies. These
colonial flags are all basically the Ensign. They
differ only in that the badge in the fly represents

a particular colony. The place of honor, the
upper staff quarter, is given to the Union Jack,
thus indicating that the British government
exercises authority over the colony. Since that
authority has, in the case of Canada, ceased to
exist, it is not proper that we should fly a
colonial flag. The place of honor on the Can-
adian flag should be given to an emblem
distinctive of the country for which the flag
flies; that is, for Canada.

We often hear the question, "What is wrong
with the Union Jack?

There is nothing wrong. It typifies the free-
dom that has been won for the individual man
under its protection. It has a sentimental value
for those of British origin. It is a beautiful
flag and cannot be mistaken for any other flag
in the world. It represents the authority of the
British government. We need a flag represent-
ing the authority of OUR government.

Though a flag really represents the govern-
ment of the country for which it flies, it is
looked upon also as representing the people of
that country.

The Union Jack in the place of honor on the
Red Ensign is seen by people of foreign countries
as indicating dominance of one particular race.
The population of our country is of many racial
origins. If we attempted to represent all or
even a few of them, we should have, not a flag
but rather something resembling a patchwork
quilt.

Order-in-Council P.C. 5888 of September 5th,
1945, states that: until such action is taken by
Parliament, "His Excellency the Governor -
General-in-Council, on the recommendation of
the Prime Minister is pleased to order and doth
hereby order that the Red Ensign with the shield
of the Coat of Arms of Canada in the fly may be

flown from buildings owned or occupied by the
Federal Government within and without
Canada."

This of course was only a temporary measure
pending the report of the "flag committee," and
action thereon by Parliament.

In November, 1945, a joint committee of the
Senate and the House of Commons was
appointed to choose and to recommend the
adoption of a suitable design for a Canadian
flag.

On July 11th, 1946, this committee submitted
the following recommendation: "that this Com-
mittee recommend that the National Flag of
Canada should be the Canadian Red Ensign
with a Maple Leaf in autumn gold colors in a
bordered background of white replacing the

coat-of-arms in the fly " No action was

taken by the government at the session then
sitting nor was it introduced at the next
session.

Here the matter rests. We are still the only
self-governing country in the world without a
distinctive flag.

One of the greatest needs in our country is
to secure unity among all its people. Unity
can be typified by something truly Canadian
that will appeal to all. The Maple Leaf is
admittedly the emblem of Canada. Let the
Maple Leaf or some design with it as the most
prominent feature, be in the place of honor on
our new flag. To our people of every race and
creed it will then be a symbol of unity.

W.J.S.