February 15, 2025 – National Flag Day of Canada

Today, the maple leaf flag of Canada flies, in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of its adoption on February 15, 1965.

Though Canada’s maple leaf flag is ubiquitous today, the design was very controversial when it was selected. After months of debate, consisting of 308 individual speeches, the flag was approved by the House of Commons on December 15, 1964 and by the Senate two days later. Royal Assent was given by Queen Elizabeth II on January 28, 1965. One of the best books on the story of the Maple Leaf flag is “I Stand for Canada” by Rick Archbold.

The Maple Leaf flag also contained a vexillological innovation, the Canadian Pale. When looking at the flag, the white section in the middle occupies 50% of the flag and the two red stripes occupy 25% each. Previous to the Maple Leaf flag, the general design consensus was that vertical stripes should each occupy one third of the flag. The Canadian Pale has become more popular in the past 60 years.

Also flying is the flag of the Canadian province of New Brunswick, in thanks to the veterinary student from the province we met at Oakland Animal Services last week.