Canadian history · Drawing 27 of 37
Ideas for a flag
1964–1965
In 1964, people across Canada sent thousands of ideas for a new flag. After a long debate, the red and white maple leaf flag first flew in 1965.
Look together
What picture would you put on your own flag?
An idea to try
Invent a flag for your family together, with two colours and one simple picture, then explain what each part means.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
In 1963, Lester B. Pearson promised to give Canada a national flag, ideally before the 1967 centennial. The debate was long and passionate: many wanted to keep British symbols such as the Red Ensign, while others wanted a uniquely Canadian flag. An all-party committee reviewed thousands of ideas sent in by Canadians and chose historian George Stanley’s concept. Asked to make prototypes, Ken Donovan called on his daughter, Joan O’Malley, to sew them; she worked late into the night. The flag was proclaimed on January 28, 1965, and raised on Parliament Hill on February 15.
The drawing shows an idea invented by a family, not the official flag. Ask your child which symbol would best represent their family, and why.
Sources and context (3)
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. Source titles appear in their original language; some linked pages are in French.
- Canadian Heritage — The history of the National Flag of CanadaA few thousand concepts submitted by Canadians; the committee chose Stanley’s concept; proclamation of January 28, 1965; inauguration on February 15, 1965, on Parliament Hill.
- Canadian Heritage — 1963–1965: The birth of Canada’s National Flag — Who’s whoKen Donovan tasked with creating prototypes in 1964; his daughter Joan O’Malley sewed them late into the night; George Stanley’s concept; John Matheson’s role on the committee.
- Parks Canada — The Creation of the National Flag National Historic EventPearson’s 1963 promise; hope for a symbol in time for the centennial; many attached to British symbols and the Red Ensign; thousands of options reviewed.
Source review: 2026-09-24. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.