History of the Canadian Flag and the RMC Connection – Creating a new flag 1960-1965
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/flag-canada-history.html
In 1960, Lester B. Pearson, then Leader of the Opposition, declared that he was determined to solve what he called “the flag problem.” To Pearson, this issue was critical to defining Canada as a unified, independent country. As the newly elected Prime Minister in 1963, Pearson promised to resolve the question of a new national flag in time for Canada’s centennial celebrations in 1967.
Pearson began by proposing a concept for a new flag featuring a sprig of 3 red maple leaves, similar to those in the national coat of arms, on a white background bordered by 2 blue stripes. The heraldic expert and artist Alan Beddoe took Pearson’s concept and developed it into a design that became known as the “Pearson Pennant.”
Pearson recommended this design to members of Parliament in 1964, but his proposal was strongly opposed. Instead, a parliamentary committee was created and given a 6-week deadline to submit a recommendation for a national flag. Debate within the committee was fierce, divided between those who wished to retain the symbols that tied Canada to its colonial history, and those who wanted Canada to adopt its own symbols for the future. This period was known as the Great Flag Debate.
One of the more well-received concepts considered by the committee was proposed by George Stanley, Dean of Arts at the Royal Military College (RMC) in Kingston, Ontario. Inspired by RMC’s own flag, Stanley recommended a concept featuring a single, stylized red maple leaf on a white background with 2 red borders.
On October 22, 1964, the committee voted in favour of Stanley’s single-leaf concept. Two months later the House of Commons approved, followed shortly after by the Senate. The persuasive leadership of John Matheson, M.P., one of the flag committee’s pre-eminent members, is often credited with achieving consensus within the committee and helping to end the Great Flag Debate in Parliament.
Once it was confirmed as the winning proposal, Stanley’s concept was refined by the flag committee’s graphic artists and other design specialists to create the final design of the National Flag of Canada that we use today.
1965: A new national symbol is raised
The new maple leaf flag was made official by a proclamation from Queen Elizabeth II on January 28, 1965. On February 15 of that year, it was inaugurated in a public ceremony on Parliament Hill. Thousands of Canadians gathered as the Canadian Red Ensign was lowered and, at the stroke of noon, the new National Flag of Canada was hoisted. Prime Minister Pearson’s words on the occasion resound with hope and determination: “May the land over which this new flag flies remain united in freedom and justice … sensitive, tolerant and compassionate towards all.”
In the words of John Matheson, the new flag “was the handiwork of many loving hands, extended over a long period of Canada’s history.” This collaborative effort created an elegant new emblem, instantly recognizable as the foremost symbol of Canada, its values, and the millions of citizens who make up the Canadian family.
In 1967, the year of Canada’s 100th birthday, our new flag was showcased to the world at Expo ‘67.
Why the maple leaf?
While the design of the flag was new, it featured a familiar symbol that had a long history of use in Canada. The maple leaf emerged in the 19th century as a symbol of Canadian identity and was everywhere in popular culture: books, songs, coins, badges, banners, and many other items. Generations of Canadians had already adopted the maple leaf as a symbol of their identity, but it is during the First World War — where it was used as the cap badge worn by members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force — that it became the most widely recognized emblem of the nation. Most poignantly, it is a single maple leaf that is carved upon many of the headstones of Canadian service men and women who gave their lives in the 2 world wars. For many, the maple leaf was a shared symbol of pride, courage and loyalty.
From the Class of 1966:
It’s been 60 years since the new Canadian flag was raised. The city of Kingston, and the Royal Military College of Canada were intimately involved.
Professor George F. Stanley, historian, author and member of the Academic staff at RMC in 1965, created the design that was selected from among several thousand of submissions.
Professor Stanley was inspired by the flag of RMC – the College crest on a white background flanked by two red panels.
On 15 February 1965, the new flag was raised on the steps of Kingston’s town hall. This was a very special venue. Kingston was the first Capital of Canada from 1841 to 1844. It was chosen as the capital after the Act of Union (1840) that united Upper and Lower Canada.
Raising the new Canadian flag were RMC third year cadets 7065 Ken Spinney and 7073 Jim Thomson (Class of 1966). The ceremony was posted on the front page of The Kingston Whig Standard (see attachment).
It’s hard to believe that 60 years have passed so quickly,
7073 Jim | TDV Class 66 Secretary
Cela fait 60 ans que le nouveau drapeau canadien a été hissé. La ville de Kingston et le Collège militaire royal du Canada ont été étroitement impliqués.
Le professeur George F. Stanley, historien, auteur et membre du personnel académique du CMR en 1965, a créé le modèle qui a été sélectionné parmi plusieurs milliers de propositions.
Le professeur Stanley s’est inspiré du drapeau du CMR – l’écusson du Collège sur fond blanc flanqué de deux panneaux rouges.
Le 15 février 1965, le nouveau drapeau est hissé sur les marches de l’hôtel de ville de Kingston. C’était un lieu très spécial. Kingston fut la première capitale du Canada de 1841 à 1844. Elle fut choisie comme capitale après l’Acte d’Union (1840) qui unifia le Haut et le Bas-Canada.
Les cadets de troisième année du CMR 7065 Ken Spinney et 7073 Jim Thomson (promotion 1966) ont hissé le nouveau drapeau canadien. La cérémonie a été publiée en première page du Kingston Whig Standard.
Il est difficile de croire que 60 ans se soient écoulés si vite.
7073 Jim | VDV Secrétaire de classe 66
As we reflect on what makes us proud of our Canadian identity, we also honour the incredible women who broke barriers and paved the way for gender inclusion at the Canadian Military Colleges, who have since transformed the face of Canada’s military and its culture.
2025 marks 45 years since women were first admitted to RMC Kingston and Collège militaire royale de St-Jean in 1980, and more than 40 years since the first women graduated through the Regular Officer Training Plan (ROTP) and Reserve Entry Training Plan (RETP) in 1984. It also marks more than 40 years of women entering Royal Roads Military College.
These trailblazing women demonstrated immense resilience and strength, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire the values of the Canadian Military Colleges and their Alumni Association.
Throughout the rest of the year, we will commemorate these milestones and honour the lasting impact of these women on our Colleges and on our country.
Alors que nous réfléchissons à ce qui nous rend fiers d’être Canadiens, profitons-en également pour rendre hommage aux femmes incroyables qui ont brisé les barrières et ouvert la voie à l’inclusion des genres dans les Collèges militaires du Canada, transformant ainsi le visage et la culture des forces militaires canadiennes.
L’année 2025 marque le 45e anniversaire de l’admission des femmes aux CMR de Kingston et de Saint-Jean, et cela fait plus de 40 ans que les premières femmes ont terminé avec succès le Programme de formation des officiers et officières de la Force régulière (PFOR) et le Programme de formation des réservistes, en 1984. C’est également il y a plus de 40 ans que des femmes ont été admises pour la première fois au Collège militaire Royal Roads.
Ces pionnières ont fait preuve d’une résilience et d’une force remarquables, laissant derrière elles un héritage qui continue d’inspirer les valeurs des Collèges militaires du Canada et de leur Association des ancien(ne)s.
Tout au long de l’année, nous célébrons ces événements et mettrons en valeur l’influence durable de ces femmes sur nos collèges et notre pays.
As a member of the Class of 1968, raising the new flag occurred for me during my second year at Royal Roads. A couple of my Roads classmates helped raise the flag there. As a class, we could not have been prouder to participate in such a historic event!
On 15 Feb 1965, I was a Captain in RCEME and a student at the Canadian Army Staff College in Fort Frontenac, just across the causeway, when the new Canadian flag was flown over Fort Frontenac for the first time. It was a bright, very cold day for this memorable occasion! 3837 William M Campbell (Bill) Class of 1957.
I remember sitting in the JRR public school auditorium watching the Red Ensign being lowered and the new Canadian flag being raised. Even at ten years I was disappointed that we were losing a symbol that clearly linked us to the Commonwealth. Several times before the Canadian flag change I had visited my grand-parents in Australia. My grand mother was born in Stratford Ontario and my grand father was born in a small town near Melbourne Australia. The red ensign made sense to me and helped me make sense of my heritage. Having said that, I wear the current Canadian flag with pride on my baseball hat and under the Australian flag on my Australian army uniform (see link below) – I still recall watching the Red Ensign being replaced with a sense of disappointment.
I read the article regarding the lowering of the Red Ensign and the raising of the Maple Leaf with and the legion comment beside it and wonder if people still recall the division in the country at that time. I was a senior in school at 3 Wing RCAF station Zweibruecken, W. Germany the day the flag was raised and I don’t remember much of the animosity. I was admitted to RMC that summer and recall only the good things that having a flag of our own brought to Cana.da.