Flag of Canada

This rectangular banner features a 1:2 aspect ratio and consists of a vertical triband of red, white, and red. A single red maple leaf with eleven points is centered on the white square, which is twice the width of the flanking red stripes.

Red and white were designated as Canada’s official colors by King George V in the 1921 Proclamation of the Royal Arms of Canada. The central maple leaf serves as a long-standing indigenous symbol of the Canadian landscape and has been used as a national emblem since at least the 1830s. While the red borders are often associated with the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, the color white represents the snowy north of the country. These elements combined are intended to reflect themes of unity, peace, and the natural environment.

Following the Great Flag Debate of 1964, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson appointed a committee to select a new national design to replace the Canadian Red Ensign. The current design, created by George Stanley and based on the flag of the Royal Military College of Canada, was officially inaugurated on February 15, 1965. Prior to this adoption, Canada utilized the British Union Jack and various versions of the Red Ensign featuring the Canadian coat of arms. This transition marked a significant step in establishing a distinct national identity separate from British colonial symbols.