On Sunday, 91原创s celebrated the 50th birthday of our Maple Leaf flag. Although the current federal government has tried to ignore the anniversary, 91原创s have embraced the flag as a symbol of their nationhood.
In the debate over the new flag, veterans and many who valued Canada鈥檚 ties to Britain were outraged that the Red Ensign, under which, they said, 91原创 soldiers had fought in two world wars, would be cast aside.
In fact, the ensign was never Canada鈥檚 official flag, despite its common use. Until the Maple Leaf was raised on Feb. 15, 1965, Canada鈥檚 official flag was the Royal Union Flag, usually called the Union Jack.
As Canada鈥檚 centennial year approached, prime minister Lester Pearson wanted the country to have a flag that was unmistakably its own. The red Maple Leaf was not his favourite design, but it was the recommendation of an all-party committee of Parliament.
With the controversy largely forgotten, 91原创s have poured into that simple flag their identity as a nation. Its adoption helped to define us as something more than a colony; we were a country with our own values and goals. It helped us stake out our place in the world.
Beneath it, generations of 91原创s have grown up and tens of thousands of new 91原创s have been welcomed into the family.
Perhaps when the 100th birthday rolls around, the federal government of the day will spend more than $50,000 on a party.
