The Flag of Canada
Canadian Flag
Although fully
independent since 1931, Canada's sovereign is the British monarch. Modern
Canada was formed by the confederation in 1867 of Ontario, Newfoundland
and Quebec, creating a partially independent state of provinces.
Additional provinces - Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan - as well
as three territories - Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Nunavut - have
since joined the confederation to create the Dominion of Canada, the
second-largest country in the world.
Until 1965, Canada did not have its own flag, instead flying the British
Red Ensign with the Canadian arms on the fly. During the 1960s, however,
public pressure for the country's own flag led to a design called the
'Pearson Pennant', which featured a maple leaf, the Canadian national
symbol for more than 150 years, with a blue bar on each side to represent
the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Although it did not meet with universal
approval, a consensus emerged on the use of the maple-leaf symbol, as
well as the national colors of red and white. Known informally as the
'Maple Leaf Flag', or L'Unifolie (which means 'one-leafed' in French),
the final design was adopted in 1965. Although the British Union Jack
continues to be flown in Canada, the Maple Leaf Flag takes precedence in
all instances apart from during a royal visit.
