How Canada’s Flag was brought to fruition

The Canadian Flag Education Centre is proud to present this chronological / historical account of who and how our beloved Canadian Flag was brought to fruition in 1964/1965. This video is made available with the approval of Historica Canada.

Robert Harper
Executive Director

This video contains a part of the Flags Heritage Minute, which was produced and provided by Historica Canada. Historica Canada is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to enhancing the awareness of Canadian history and citizenship.

Dedication of 14 murals at 1000 Islands Mall

Tuesday Nov. 4, 2014 – Special dedication of 14 Canadian flag murals depicting John Ross Matheson (the father of our flag) permanently affixed the to 1000 Islands Mall Rotunda painted by Thousand Islands Secondary School grade 11 art class led by Mary-Louise Scappaticci. Also featured are the Brockville Pipes & Drums.

Video provided by Dale Elliott and used with permission.

John Ross Matheson passes away at 96

Large Canadian flag at half mast in honour of John Ross Matheson the father of the Canadian flag.

John Ross Matheson, OC CD QC FRHSC (November 14, 1917 – December 27, 2013) was a Canadian lawyer, judge, and politician who helped develop both the maple leaf flag and the Order of Canada.

Video provided by Dale Elliott and used with permission

Large flag raised Canada Day

The complete video (includes the two start points on other posts).

On Canada Day 2014 Brockville flew the new 70ft x 35ft Canadian Flag weighing 125lbs from the new 160ft flag pole on the 401 at Smart Centre on Parkedale and North Augusta roads. There was a spectacular turn out and their were many speakers including Mayor David Henderson.

Video provided by Dale Elliott and used with permission

Brockville as Birthplace of The Canadian Flag

John Ross Matheson, Endorsed Brockville as Birthplace of The Canadian Flag

“The idea of Brockville, being the basis of the whole thing, is, is, so very valuable, I really can’t tell you how much I appreciate it” ~ John Ross Matheson

John Ross Matheson (father of the flag) signs a Canadian Flag with the help Robert Harper the Executive Director of the Canadian Flag Education centre.

Canada’s Flag

A National Flag for Canada was discussed in detail dating back to 1895/96 by heraldry enthusiast Edward M. Chadwick and others. It was suggested again in 1919 after the First World War with input from expert individuals such as Major-General (later Sir) Eugene Fiset. In 1925 our Canadian Government requested formal submissions and designs from all Canadians, but failed to make any final decision. Then again in 1946 our Government addressed the National Flag issue with requests for more public input through design submissions and advice from experts.

This video contains a part of the Flags Heritage Minute, which was produced and provided by Historica Canada. Historica Canada is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to enhancing the awareness of Canadian history and citizenship.)

In 1956 Lester B. Pearson (Minister of External Affairs) was successful in brokering a deal to end the Suez Canal crisis (of which he won the Nobel Peace Prize). During this work Mr. Pearson offered Canadian soldiers as peace keepers. His offer was rejected based on the simple fact that our soldiers wore a Red Ensign on their shoulder and could be mistaken as British soldiers. Mr. Pearson was so disappointed by this decision he made a promise to himself to work toward the creation of a National Flag for Canada. In 1957 Mr. Pearson became the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. In 1960 the Liberal Party of Canada instituted a party policy to create a National Flag for Canada.

In 1961 John Ross Matheson from Brockville Ontario was elected in a by-election and became the Liberal Member of Parliament for Leeds County (now Leeds & Grenville). Mr Matheson had been involved with the study of heraldry, flags, ensigns, colours and coats of arms since 1949 with his good friend George Beley (co-founder of the Heraldry Society of Canada, now the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada) in Brockville Ontario.

Mr. Matheson met with Mr. Pearson on Parliament Hill in July 1961, it was at this meeting Mr. Pearson explained his dream of a National Flag for Canada and asked his newly elected “Flag Expert” to begin working behind the scenes on what it would take to bring a National Flag of Canada to fruition. Mr. Matheson promised to complete the work. From late 1961 through 1963 Mr. Matheson sought out and enlisted the expert advice of historians, heraldry experts, and any previously documented informaton available to him.