Located in the heart of Lockport, NY, Grand New Flag takes pride in offering a diverse selection of flags that celebrate the rich heritage and symbols of nations around the world. Among these is the Flag of Canada, one of America’s closest allies and our nearby neighbor to the north. 

The iconic red and white Maple Leaf flag is known for its simplicity and powerful symbolism. Discover how this emblem came to represent the values and spirit of Canada.

What Does the Canadian Flag Look Like? 

The Canadian Flag features a red, 11-pointed Maple Leaf on a white square background with red bars on either side.  According to the Canadian Government, the flag is twice as long as it is wide and horizontally symmetric.

What Does the Canadian Flag Represent

Each element of the Canadian Flag represents a different aspect of the country. The iconic Maple Leaf has been a symbol of Canada since the 1800s, representing the vast forests and natural beauty of the country. The 11 points of the Maple Leaf have no significance and were chosen for the best visibility in windy conditions. 

The color red is prominent due to its association with red maple leaves, along with the symbolism of prosperity and hope. The color white represents the white winter snows of Canada, along with peace and honesty.

Why is There a Maple Leaf on the Canadian Flag? 

The Maple Leaf is featured on the Canadian Flag due to its long history as a symbol of Canada. It was first adopted in 1834 with the founding of the Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste, an association celebrating French Canadian culture. Even before European settlers arrived, Maple trees had long been important to Indigenous peoples for their precious sap.

While the Maple Leaf is the symbol most associated with Canada today, the original national symbol was a beaver. The beaver came to prominence during the 1600s due to the fur trade, but declined as a national symbol in the 1800s as the Maple Leaf gained popularity.

When Was the Canadian Flag Adopted? 

The Canadian Flag is likely younger than you think, being officially inaugurated on February 15, 1965. After European settlers came to Canada, it was common for them to fly the flags of their homeland, such as the Union Jack. It was not until the 20th century that Canadian citizens appealed to have the “flag problem” addressed. 

In 1960 Lester B. Pearson felt it was critical to solve the “flag problem” in order to define Canada as an independent and unified nation. Pearson was elected Prime Minister in 1963, and in 1964 created a parliamentary committee to recommend flag designs. This led to what was called the “Great Flag Debate”. The eventual winner was designed by George Stanely, Dean of Arts at the Royal Military College (RMC).

Order the Flag of Canada from Grand New Flag 

While we are based in the USA, Grand New Flag proudly supplies a diverse selection of flags from around the world. Our Canadian Flags are made from durable nylon and available in a variety of sizes. We offer a 15% discount for American military service members and first responders and donate 5% of our net profits to nonprofits supporting veterans.