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Anniversary of the Westminster Statute, 1931

Royal Union FlagRoyal Union Flag

Today's Flag

is the Royal Union Flag.  When Canada became a Dominion under the Crown of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, with the passage of the British North America Act in 1867, no specific flag was provided for.  Although the Red Ensign was popularized as a distinctly Canadian flag by Sir John A. MacDonald and by common usage thereafter, the Royal Union flag ultimately remained the proper flag of the Dominion.  In 1964, after many years of dispute and heated debate, the Parliament of Canada finally came up a solution (podcast).  After hearing from expert witnesses, reviewing much evidence, and receiving thousands of submissions, the special committee that recommended in Report No 6 the adoption of the new National Flag of Canada, also recommended in their Final Report No 7 that the Royal Union flag continue to be flown and by 17 December 1964, both reports had been adopted by Parliament.  Where physical arrangements permit, federal government installations and facilities will fly the Royal Union Flag alongside the National Flag annually on the date of observance of: the Queen's Birthday (Victoria Day;) the anniversary of the Statute of Westminster (11 December) and on the 2nd Monday in March, which is Commonwealth Day throughout the world. 

Click here to learn more about:  The Statute of Westminster, and the origins of the Royal Union Flag.

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