The Red Ensign and the Maple Leaf: Canada’s Two Flag Traditions

Earlier this year I delivered presentations on the Canadian flag before and after 1965; however, given the limited time I have today, I shall focus on the aspect that much of this history can be grouped into two flag traditions, with a few bridging the gap. I shall speak briefly about the Canadian red ensigns, about proposed new flags in the same tradition, and about newer approaches that led to the current National Flag—alas, I won’t have the opportunity to take us beyond that and discuss the flag since 1965. Flag proposals occurred throughout much of Canada’s first century, especially on the occasions during which the Canadian government examined the issue; however, I will confine myself to the most notable of these.