List of Canadian flags

Last updated

The national flag of Canada (at left) being flown with the flags of the 10 Canadian provinces and 3 territories All Provinces and Territories.jpg
The national flag of Canada (at left) being flown with the flags of the 10 Canadian provinces and 3 territories

The Department of Canadian Heritage lays out protocol guidelines for the display of flags, including an order of precedence; these instructions are only conventional, however, and are generally intended to show respect for what are considered important symbols of the state or institutions. [1] The sovereign's personal standard is supreme in the order of precedence, followed by those for the monarch's representatives (depending on jurisdiction), the personal flags of other members of the Royal Family, [2] and then the national flag and provincial flags.

Contents

Many museums across Canada display historic flags in their exhibits. The Canadian Museum of History, in Hull, Quebec has many culturally important flags in their collections. Settlers, Rails & Trails Inc., in Argyle, Manitoba holds the second largest exhibit - known as the Canadian Flag Collection.

National and provincial flags

National

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 1965–present National Flag of Canada
(The Maple Leaf, l'Unifolié)
A vertical bicolour triband of red, white, red with a red maple leaf emblem charged in the Canadian pale

Provincial

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Ontario.svg 1965–present Flag of Ontario A red field with the Royal Union Flag in the canton and the shield of the coat of arms of Ontario charged in the fly
Flag of Quebec.svg 1948–present Flag of Quebec
(The Fleurdelisé)
A blue field with an ordinary white cross and a white fleur-de-lis in each quadrant
Flag of Nova Scotia.svg 1858 (first use)

1929 (arms adopted) 2013 (flag adopted) –present

Flag of Nova Scotia A banner of arms of the coat of arms of Nova Scotia
Flag of New Brunswick.svg 1965–present Flag of New Brunswick A banner of the coat of arms of New Brunswick
Flag of Manitoba.svg Flag of Manitoba A red field with the Royal Union Flag in the canton and the shield of the coat of arms of Manitoba charged in the fly
Flag of British Columbia.svg 1960–present Flag of British Columbia A banner of the coat of arms of British Columbia
Flag of Prince Edward Island.svg 1964–present Flag of Prince Edward Island A banner of the coat of arms of Prince Edward Island within a bordure compony of red and white
Flag of Saskatchewan.svg 1969–present Flag of Saskatchewan A field party per fess, green and yellow, with the shield of the coat of arms of Saskatchewan in the canton and western red lily emblem charged in the fly
Flag of Alberta.svg 1968–present Flag of Alberta A blue field with the shield of the coat of arms of Alberta charged in the centre
Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador.svg 1980–present Flag of Newfoundland and Labrador A blue and white field party per pale (at nombril point) with a white border, white ordinary cross and white saltire, two triangular divisions in the fly lined in red, a golden arrow between two triangular divisions

Territorial

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the Northwest Territories.svg 1969–present Flag of the Northwest Territories A vertical bicolour triband of blue, white, blue with the shield of the coat of arms of the Northwest Territories charged in the Canadian pale
Flag of Yukon.svg 1968–present Flag of Yukon A vertical tricolour triband of green, white, blue with the shield of the coat of arms of Yukon above a wreath of fireweed charged in the pale, with pale ratio of 1 to 1.5 to 1
Flag of Nunavut.svg 1999–present Flag of Nunavut A field party per pale, yellow and white, with a red inukshuk charged in the centre and a blue star in the upper fly

Ceremonial

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 1965–present Royal Union Flag The Cross of St. Andrew counterchanged with the Cross of St. Patrick and over all the Cross of St. George.

Royal

FlagDateUseDescription
Royal Standard of Canada.svg 2023–present Royal Standard of Charles III, King of Canada A banner of the Royal Arms of Canada undifferentiated
Royal Standard of the Prince of Wales (in Canada).svg 2011–presentRoyal standard of the Prince of Wales A banner of the Royal Arms of Canada differentiated by a white three-pointed label and defaced with the Prince of Wales's feathers
Royal Standard of Princess Anne, Princess Royal (in Canada).svg 2013–presentRoyal standard of Princess Anne A banner of the Royal Arms of Canada differentiated by a white three-pointed label; the first and third labels bearing a red cross, the centre label bearing a red heart; and defaced with a royal cypher of Princess Anne
Royal Standard of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh (in Canada).svg 2014–presentRoyal standard of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh A banner of the Royal Arms of Canada differentiated by a three-pointed label; the centre label bearing a Tudor rose; and defaced with a royal cypher of Prince Edward
Royal Standard of members of the Canadian Royal Family.svg 2015–presentOther members of the royal family A banner of the Royal Arms of Canada with a border of ermine

Viceregal and administrative

Governor general

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the Governor-General of Canada.svg 1981–1999
2002–present
Flag of the governor general of Canada A blue field with the crest of the Royal Arms of Canada charged in the centre

Lieutenant governors and commissioners

Supreme Court of Canada

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the Supreme Court of Canada.svg 2021–presentFlag of the Supreme Court of Canada Gules on a Canadian pale Argent a lozenge lozengy Gules and Argent charged with maple leaves alternately Or and Gules

Military and civilian law enforcement organizations

Canadian Armed Forces

FlagDateUseDescription
Canadian Forces Flag.svg 1968–presentFlag of the Canadian Armed Forces A white field with the National Flag of Canada in the canton and the Canadian Armed Forces badge charged in the fly [3]
Flag of the Royal Military College of Canada.svg 1920–presentFlag of the Royal Military College of Canada A field tierced per pale, red, white, and red with the badge of the Royal Military College of Canada charged in the centre
Drapeau du College Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean.svg Flag of the Royal Military College Saint-Jean A field tierced per pale, blue, white, and blue with the badge of the Royal Military College Saint-Jean charged in the centre
Canada Commander in Chief Unit Banner.svg 2000–presentBanner of the Commander-in-Chief Unit Commendation A field tierced per pale, blue, red, and azure, with the crest of the Royal Arms of Canada charged in the centre
Camp flag of the Cadet Instructors Cadre.png 2009–presentCamp flag of the Cadet Instructors Cadre The badge of the Cadet Instructors Cadre, with the traditional colours of the Navy, Army and the Air Force. The golden border represents the young people that CIC officers work for.
King's Colour of Royal Military College of Canada.jpg −1965King's Colour, as used by the Royal Military College of Canada King's Colour of the Royal Military College of Canada with the Union Flag.

Canadian Army

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of canada duguid 1925 (version 3).svg 1939–1944Old flag of the Canadian Army
Flag of the Canadian Army (1968-1998).svg 1968–1998
Flag of the Land Force Command (1998-2013).svg 1998–2013
Flag of the Canadian Army (2013-2016).svg 2013–2016
Flag of the Canadian Army (2016).svg 2016–presentFlag of the Canadian Army A scarlet red field with the National Flag of Canada in the canton and the Canadian Army badge charged in the fly
Flag of the Chief of the General Staff (Canada).svg –presentFlag of the Commander of the Canadian Army

Royal Canadian Navy

FlagDateUseDescription
Naval ensign of Canada.svg 1968–present Canadian Naval Ensign (2013-present), naval jack (1968-2013)A white field with the National Flag of Canada in the canton and charged in the fly with an anchor, eagle and naval crown in blue
Naval Auxiliary Jack of Canada.svg 1979–present [4] Canadian Forces Auxiliary JackA blue field with the National Flag of Canada in the canton and charged in the fly with an anchor, eagle and naval crown in white
Flag of the Canadian Navy Board.svg c.1964–presentFlag of the Canadian Navy Board A field party per bend, blue and sanguine, with a fouled anchor in gold charged in the centre
Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg RCN (1911–1965)
RCSCC (1905–1965)
Used as the ensign of the Royal Canadian Navy and some Royal Canadian Sea Cadets corps. Used throughout the entire British Empire by the Royal Navy and by several former British colonies even after they became independent and established their own navies. White Ensign, St George's Cross with the Union Flag in the canton.
Canadian Blue Ensign 1957-1965.svg RCN (1957-1965)The Blue Ensign, worn as a jack by the Royal Canadian Navy Blue Ensign defaced with the Royal Arms of Canada. The maple leaves at the bottom of the shield are red.
Canadian Blue Ensign 1921-1957.svg RCN (1921–1957)
RCSCC (1929–1953)
The Blue Ensign, worn as a jack by the Royal Canadian Navy and used by the RCSCC Blue Ensign defaced with the Royal Arms of Canada. The maple leaves at the bottom of the shield are green.
Blue Ensign of Canada (1868-1921).svg Naval Service of Canada / Royal Canadian Navy (1910–1911, as ensign; 1911-1921 as jack)
RCSCC (1910–1922)
The Blue Ensign, worn as ensign then jack by the Naval Service of Canada/Royal Canadian Navy Blue Ensign defaced with the 1868 Great Seal of Canada. Worn as ensign from 1910 to 1913, then jack from 1913 to 1921, after Navy authorized to fly the British White Ensign. [5] [6]

Royal Canadian Air Force

FlagDateUseDescription
Air Force Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg 1921–1940 Royal Canadian Air Force Ensign A field of air force blue with the Union Flag in the canton and the Royal Air Force roundel charged in the fly
Air Force ensign of Canada (1941-1968).svg 1941–1968A field of air force blue with the Union Flag in the canton and the Royal Canadian Air Force roundel charged in the fly
Royal Canadian Air Force ensign.svg 1982–presentA field of air force blue with the National Flag of Canada in the canton and the Royal Canadian Air Force roundel charged in the fly

Canadian Special Operations Forces Command

FlagDateUseDescription
Link to file -presentFlag of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command A white field with the National Flag of Canada in the canton and the CANSOFCOM badge charged in the fly

Canada Border Services Agency

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the Canada Border Services Agency.svg 2012–presentFlag of the Canada Border Services Agency A Blue field with the National Flag of Canada in the canton and the Canada Border Services Agency badge charged in the fly

Canadian Coast Guard

FlagDateUseDescription
Coastguard Flag of Canada.svg 1965–presentJack of the Canadian Coast Guard A banner of the arms of the Canadian Coast Guard: vertical diband of white and blue, a red maple leaf emblem charged in the hoist and a pair of dolphins in gold and facing opposite directions charged in the fly. Features current 11-point maple leaf designed by Jacques St-Cyr. [7]
Coastguard Flag of Canada (1962-1965).svg 1962–1965Jack of the Canadian Coast Guard, original designA white field with blue flank/side one third length of flag at the fly; field charged with a red maple leaf emblem and side at fly charged with a pair of heraldic dolphins in gold, one above the other and facing opposite directions. [nb 1] Features original 13-point maple leaf designed by Alan Beddoe. [9]
Blue Ensign of Canada (1957-1965).svg 1962–1965Ensign of the Canadian Coast Guard Blue Ensign of Canadian Government Ships, defaced with Coat of Arms of Canada
Flag of the Governor-General of Canada-Coast Guard.svg –presentHonorary Commissioner FlagGovernor General's flag in the canton.

Police services

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the RCMP.svg 1991–presentEnsign of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police A red field with a blue canton bordered yellow with a representation of the Badge of the RCMP.
Link to file 1998–presentFlag of the Ontario Provincial Police Blue with the heraldic badge of the OPP.
Sq drapeau.png 1983–presentFlag of the Sûreté du Québec A green field, on a Canadian Pale Yellow charged with the badge of the Sûreté du Québec.
Flag of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.png –presentFlag of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary A blue field with the badge of the RNC in the centre.

Youth cadets organizations

FlagDateUseDescription
Ensign of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets (1953-1976).svg 1953–1976 [10] Former flag of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets A white flag with a Union Flag at the canton, with the badge of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets at the fly. This is the basis of the current flag of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets.
RCSC Current Flag.svg 1976–present [10] Flag of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets A white flag with a Canadian Flag at the canton, with the badge of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets at the fly.
NLC Flag 2011.svg 2009–present [11] Flag of the Navy League of Canada A white flag with a Canadian Flag at the canton, with the current badge of the Navy League of Canada at the fly.
1985–present [12] Banner of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets A Canadian flag in the same shape as a queen's colour used in the Canadian Armed Forces, with the maple leaf modified with the badge of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. At the canton, the cypher of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as former colonel-in-chief of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets. At the fly, a badge representing the Canadian Army (the crown of Saint Edward above crossed swords).
Royal Canadian Army Cadets Flag (Union Flag Pattern).png 1944–1973Flag of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets used by individual Army Cadet Corps used before 1973.
Royal Canadian Army Cadets Flag.png January 1973–presentFlag of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets used by individual Army Cadet Corps.
Camp Flag of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets.png Camp Flag of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets.On a white field, the badge of the Royal Canadian Army Cadets in the centre.
Flag of the Army Cadet League of Canada.png 1995–present [13] Flag of the Army Cadet League of Canada.A banner of the shield of the arms of the Army Cadet League of Canada. According to the heraldic grant, the shield of the arms of the Army Cadet League of Canada is "Argent two swords in saltire Argent fimbriated Gules hilted and pommelled Or surmounted by a maple leaf Gules veined Or all within an orle of twelve maple leaves stems inward Gules." [14] The web site of the Governor General of Canada explains this description as follows: "The white shield, bearing a maple leaf and crossed broad swords, alludes to a central Canadian entity with direct connection to the military. The twelve smaller maple leaves show singleness of purpose but at the Branch level. [14]
1991–present [15] [12] Banner of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets Based on the design of Queen's Colour for the Royal Canadian Air Force, with the badge of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets replacing the maple leaf. At the canton, the cypher of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, as former air commodore in chief of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. On the bottom fly, the first badge of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, a golden maple leaf above an eagle.
Royal Canadian Air Cadet Ensign.png 1971–present [15] Ensign of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets An Air Force blue flag, with a Canadian flag at the canton, with the historical badge of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.
Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron Banner (643 St-Hubert).png Squadron Banner of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets An Air Force blue flag, with the badge of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and a scroll stating the squadron's name and number (this example, 643 St-Hubert Squadron.
Camp flag of the Junior Canadian Rangers.png Camp flag of the Junior Canadian Rangers A 1/3 red and 2/3 green flag with the badge of the Junior Canadian Rangers on the fly.

Civil

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the Air Board of Canada (1922-1923).svg 19221923Canadian Civil Aviation Ensign, briefly used by the Air Board.A field of light blue with the Union Flag in the canton and a shield with white albatross superimposed upon three maple leaves in the middle of the fly.

Corporations

Crown corporations

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.svg 1992–presentFlag of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation A blue and red field with the logo of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation charged in the centre; logo was first introduced in 1992
Flag of the Royal Canadian Mint.svg 1978–presentFlag of the Royal Canadian Mint A red field with the logo of the Royal Canadian Mint charged in the centre; logo was first introduced in 1978

Hudson's Bay Company

Religious

FlagDateUseDescription
Anglican Church of Canada Flag.svg 1955–presentFlag of the Anglican Church of Canada
Flag of the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada.svg –presentFlag of the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada

Ethnic groups

Indigenous nations

Francophone peoples

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Acadia.svg 1884–present Acadian flag Tri-coloured flag, blue, white then red. A yellow star representing independence and unique culture from main land France.
Franco-Ontarian flag.svg 1975–present Flag of the Franco-Ontarians A field party per pale, green and white, with a white fleur-de-lys charged in the hoist and a green trillium emblem charged in the fly
Bandera dels Fransaskois.svg 1976–presentFlag of the Fransaskois A yellow field with a green Nordic cross centred towards the upper hoist and a red fleur-de-lis charged in the lower fly
Flag of the Franco-Manitobains.svg 1980–presentFlag of the Franco-Manitobans A white field with yellow over sanguine bars with a green plant emblem in four pieces charged in the hoist
Flag of the Franco-Colombiens.svg 1981–presentFlag of the Franco-Columbians A white field party per pale by a bar gemelles and dancetty, a fleur-de-lys and Pacific Dogwood emblem charged in the fly; Dogwood is the floral emblem of British Columbia, the blue stripes evoke the Pacific Ocean and the rising mountains beside, the yellow centre of the Dogwood flower represents the sun
Flag of the Franco Albertains.svg 1982–present Flag of the Franco-Albertans A field party per bend sinister, blue and white, by a bend cotised white and blue with a white fleur-de-lys in the upper hoist and a red wild rose in the lower fly
Flag of the Franco-Yukonnais.svg 1985–presentFlag of the Franco-Yukonnais A blue field and three diagonal stripes set from lower hoist to upper fly. The colours of the stripes are white and golden yellow. The effect created by the arrangement of the stripes is meant to represent Yukon's many mountains. Blue is for the French people and the sky. White is for winter and snow. Yellow represents the gold rush and the Franco-Yukonnais contributions to history of the territory.
Franco-Terreneuviens.svg 1986–presentFlag of the Fédération des Francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador (Franco-Terreneuviens)Three unequal panels of blue, white, and red, with two yellow sails set on the line between the white and red panels. The sail on top is charged with a spruce twig, while the bottom sail is charged with a pitcher flower.
Flag of the FrancoTenois.svg 1992–presentFlag of the Franco-Ténois A polar bear on a snowy hill, looking forward towards a snowflake/Fleur-de-lis combined, representing the French community of the Northwest Territories of Canada.
Flag of the Franco-Nunavois.svg 2002–presentFlag of the Franco-Nunavois Blue that represents the Arctic sky and white recalls the snow, abundantly present on the territory. The principal shape represent an igloo, and under this one, the inukshuk which symbolise the human presence. A single dandelion flower grows from beneath it.

Other ethnic groups

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Canada (black and white).svg 2006?–present?Flag of Black Canadians The Canadian national flag with black instead of red. [16]
CANADIENS GAELIQUES.jpg 2008–presentFlag of Gaelic CanadiansAdopted by the Comhairle na Gàidhlig (The Gaelic Council of Nova Scotia), the salmon represents the gift of knowledge in the Gaelic storytelling traditions of Nova Scotia, Scotland and Ireland and the Isle of Man. The "G" represents the Gaelic language and the ripples are the manifestations of the language through its rich culture of song, story, music, dance and custom and belief system. [17]
Afro-Nova Scotian Flag.svg 2021–presentFlag of Black Nova Scotians The red represents blood and sacrifice. The gold conveys cultural richness. The green symbolizes fertility and growth. The black stands for the people.

The wave in the bottom centre has a dual meaning, representing the ocean and movements as well as honouring the journey of African Nova Scotian ancestors through the middle passage during the slave trade.

On the left is half of a stylized heart (a version of the Sankofa symbol) with a yin and yang-like symbol embedded to represent heartbreak balanced with awareness.

The image is encompassed with an incomplete circle representing those things absent but yet to come. [18]

Flag of Irish Heritage Quebec.svg 2024–presentFlag of Irish Heritage Quebec A yellow Celtic cross on a green background with a white crenellated border. Inspired by the flag of Quebec City. [19]

Municipal

Historical

Historical national flags

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of England.svg 1497–1707Flag on John Cabot's ship, and used during the English colonization of the Americas before the Act of Union.White Ensign, St George's Cross.
Flag of Scotland (1542-2003).svg 1621–1707Flag used during the Scottish colonization of the Americas before the Act of Union.White saltire on blue ensign, St. Andrew's Cross.
Estandart Francois (c.1600s).svg 1608Etandart François [20] Possibly flown by Samuel de Champlain at Quebec City. [21]
Flag of France (1814-1830).svg 16th c. onEnsign of the Royal French NavyA plain white banner, as naval ensign, also used on land, especially on fortifications, as symbol of authority of the French state. [22]
Flag of the Compagnie des Indes occidentales (1664).svg 1664Flag of the Compagnie française des Indes occidentales A white banner defaced with the Arms of France, three golden fleurs-de-lis on a blue escutcheon. [23]
Naval Flag of the Kingdom of France (Civil Ensign).svg 1689Merchant Flag of France
Flag of the United Empire Loyalists.svg 1707 United Empire Loyalists (British North America)United Empire loyalist flag which was similar to the earlier version of the Union Jack but had slight changes in the fimbriation width. The United Empire Loyalists brought this flag to British North America when they left the United States. In present-day Canada, the flag continues to be used as symbol of pride and heritage for loyalist townships and organizations. [24]
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 1801–1964 Union Flag (1801–1964); Canadian Royal Union Flag (1964–present)

Royal

FlagDateUseDescription
Royal Standard of the King of France.svg 1643Royal standard of France
Pavillon royal de la France.svg 1534–1763 Royal Banner of France or "Bourbon Flag" was the most commonly used flag in New France [25] [26] [27] [28] The banner flag has three gold fleur-de-lis on a dark blue field arranged two and one
Royal standard of Canada (1962-2022).svg 1962–2022 Royal standard of Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada A banner of the Royal Arms of Canada defaced with a royal cypher of Queen Elizabeth II
Royal Standard of Prince Andrew, Duke of York (in Canada).svg 2014-2020Royal standard of Prince Andrew, Duke of York No longer used after Andrew's withdrawal from public roles.
Royal Standard of Prince William in Canada (2011-2022).svg 2011–2022Royal standard of Prince William

Coronation standards

FlagDateUseDescription
Coronation standard of Canada (1937-1953).svg 1937 and 1953Coronations of George VI and Elizabeth and Elizabeth II Banner of arms of Royal Coat of Arms of Canada
Coronation standard of Canada (1911).svg 1911 Coronation of George V and Mary Banner of arms of Royal Coat of Arms of Canada

Viceregal

Civil ensigns

FlagDateUseDescription
Canadian Red Ensign (1868-1921).svg 1892–1922 Canadian Red Ensign as authorized for use as a civil ensign through Admiralty warrant. Informal use of the Canadian Red Ensign as a symbol of Canada began as early as 1868.
Canadian Red Ensign (1905-1922).svg 1907–19221907 informal version of the Canadian Red Ensign commonly used in western Canada. Note the inclusion of all the provincial emblems.
Canadian Red Ensign (1921-1957).svg 1922–19571922 version of the Canadian Red Ensign used from 1922 to 1957, which was also used as a de facto national flag.
Canadian Red Ensign (1957-1965).svg 1957–19651957 version of the Canadian Red Ensign that had evolved as the de facto national flag until 1965.

Government ensigns

FlagDateDescriptionUse
Canadian Blue Ensign (1868-1921).svg 1868–1922A British colonial Blue Ensign defaced with the 1868 Great Seal of CanadaSince Confederation, worn by Canadian federal government ships, including of the Department of Marine and Fisheries, involved in tending lighthouses, performing search and rescue, ice-breaking, resupply of isolated outposts, and other services. Worn by Canadian government warships prior to formation of Naval Service of Canada/Royal Canadian Navy. [29] [30] (Also from 1910-1911 as naval ensign, then 1911-1922 as naval jack.)
Canadian Blue Ensign (1921-1957).svg 1922–1957A British colonial Blue Ensign defaced with the 1921 Arms of Canada Used by ships of various Canadian federal departments, including Department of Transport fleet from 1936 -1957. [31] (Also as naval jack 1922-1957.)
Canadian Blue Ensign (1957-1965).svg 1957–1965A British colonial Blue Ensign defaced with the 1957 Arms of Canada Used by ships of various Canadian federal departments, including Canadian Marine Service (1959-1962), and Canadian Coast Guard (as ensign) from 1962-1965. [32] (Also as naval jack 1957-1965.)

Newfoundland

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of the Dominion of Newfoundland.svg 1904–1949 Dominion of Newfoundland
Dominion of Newfoundland Blue Ensign, 1870-1904.svg 1870–1904 Newfoundland Colony
Flag of Newfoundland 1862-1870.svg 1862–1870

Rebellions

FlagDateUseDescription
Bandera FLQ.svg 1968–1971 Front de libération du Québec Flag of the FLQ as seen at demonstrations in Montreal and the U.S. between 1968 and 1971 [33]
Metis Red.svg 1812–1821 Pemmican War Metis Flag
Drapeau des Patriotes de Saint-Eustache et de Saint-Benoit.svg 1837 Lower Canada Rebellion This flag was created by Marie-Louise Félix, Émilie Berthelot and Marie-Louise-Zéphirine Labrie in 1837, also involved in the Association of Patriotic Ladies of the Deux-Montagnes County. We see a maple branch surmounted by a muskellunge, surrounded by a crown of cone and pine branches. The C would mean "Canada" (in the sense that this term had for the Patriots at the time) and JB would mean "Jean-Baptiste", the patron saint of "Canadians" since the creation of the Société Saint-Jean- Baptiste in 1834. The original is in Château Ramezay, in Montreal.
Flag of the Patriote movement (Lower Canada).svg 1832–1838 Patriote flag The proposed flag for the Republic of Lower Canada (1838). It is still used today by some souverainists, in mostly 4 variants: the original, and three versions with the yellow star in the top left corner. Of which, two of them have Henri Julien's Patriot painting of 1904, one in colour and the other stylised in black and white.
Flag of the Canadian Republic.svg 1837–1838Flag of the Republic of Canada A blue-white-red vertical tricolour with two white stars representing the colonies of Upper and Lower Canada and a crescent moon representing the "hunter's clubs" that organized and led the insurrection affixed at the hoist. [34]
Provisional Government of Saskatchewan flag.svg 1869-1870 North-West Rebellion Often mistaken as the flag used in the 1885 resistance, the flag used by the Provisional Government of Rupert's Land and the North-West was described in various ways. Most descriptions mention a fleur-de-lys, shamrock and a white background. [35] [36]
Flagoftheprovisionalgovernmentofsask.svg 1885 Provisional Government of Saskatchewan The day of the provisional government's proclamation,  Father Vital Fourmond, a witness, wrote "As a flag [Riel] chose the white flag of ancient France [with a royal blue shield bearing three golden fleurs de lys], saying that he was called to renew its ancient glories. On it he placed a large image of Mary's immaculate heart." [37]

Other

FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Madawaska.svg 1827Flag of the short lived Republic of Madawaska which was situated between Canada and the US.
Caribou Canadian Flag.png 1868The Canadian Red Ensign used at Dominion Day celebrations in Barkerville, BC in support of Canadian Confederation, as Canada did not have an official flag. [38]
Charles Wright's sledging flag.png 1910–1913Sledge flag used in Antarctica by C.S. Wright, a Canadian member of Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova Expedition.
British Empire flag (1930).svg Post 1910–c.1945 British Empire flag An unofficial flag of the British Empire featuring symbols of its constituent dominions and India. The Canadian coat of arms are present in the bottom left. It was flown by civilians as a display of patriotism on special occasions such as Empire Day. A surviving specimen from the British Empire Exhibition in 1924 is kept in the Canadian Flag Collection. [39]

Proposed

Regional

Official

FlagDateUseDescription
Cape Breton Island Flag (Eagle).svg 1994–presentFlag of Cape Breton Island A white field with four narrow horizontal stripes at the bottom, blue over green over yellow over gray with a narrow black fimbriation. Toward the fly, the green bar rises to silhouette a hill or island. Toward the hoist is a green, stylized eagle in flight.

Despite not being widely used, the Eagle flag was officially recognized and adopted by the Nova Scotian government in 1994. [40]

Flag of Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.svg 1938–presentFlag of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean A field party per fess, green and yellow, with a red-bordered grey ordinary cross; green represents the region's forests, yellow its agriculture, grey its industry and commerce, and red the vitality of the population

Unofficial

FlagDateUseDescription
Cape Breton Island Flag (Popular).svg Disputed–presentFlag of Cape Breton Island A field tierced per forest green and white, with a green saltire and yellow circle reading "Cape Breton Island" on the top, and "Canada" on the bottom, with a green stylized map of Cape Breton Island in the middle. The green is taken from the island's tartan.

Though being the most commonly used flag it is not the official flag and is disputed by supporters of the officially recognized 1993 flag designed by Kelly Gooding [40]

Flag of Labrador.svg 1974–present Flag of Labrador A field party per fess, white and azure, with a green horizontal band across the centre and a spruce twig in the upper hoist
Flag of Newfoundland.svg 1880s–present Newfoundland Tricolour A field tierced per pale green, white, and pink
Flag of Outer Baldonia.svg 1949–presentFlag of Outer Bald Tusket Island Flag used by one of the first micronations, named Principality of Outer Baldonia, it is sometimes used on fishing boats and on souvenirs.
Flag of Vancouver Island.svg 1988–present Flag of Vancouver Island A Blue Ensign defaced with the great seal of the Colony of Vancouver Island. Used informally today. [41] This unofficial flag was designed in the 1980s to retroactively represent the colony (1849–1866). In 1865 the Crown gave colonies permission to place their badges on the fly of the Blue Ensign; thus vexillologists could argue that this flag is official. [42]
Flag of Western Canada.svg 1988–presentFlag of Western Canada Originally used by the Western Independence Party, it was designed in 1988 ahead of the party's first election.

House flags of Canadian freight companies

FlagDateUseDescription
House flag of Canada Steamship Lines Ltd.svg 1965–present Canada Steamship Lines
House flag of Canada Steamship Lines Ltd (1951).svg 1958-1965
House Flag of Quebec Steamship Company.svg 1867-1958Quebec Steamship Company and Canada Steamship Lines
Flag of Cooperative de Transport Maritime et Aerien.png 1944–present Coopérative de Transport Maritime et Aérien The project differs in different periods of the company's activity.
Saint Patrick's Saltire.svg 1811–2019 Bowring Brothers
House flag of the Canadian Australasian Line.svg 1893–1953Canadian Australasian Line
House flag of Canadian National Steamships.svg 1919–1986 Canadian National Steamship Company
Canadian Pacific house flag.svg 1887–2005 CP Ships
House Flag of Job Brothers & Co., Limited.svg 19th–1967 Job Brothers & Co., Limited
House Flag of Canadian Northern Railway (Royal Line).svg 1910–1916 Royal Line

Yacht clubs of Canada

BurgeeClub
Burgee of armdaleyc.png Armdale Yacht Club
Bhycburgee.jpg Barrachois Harbour Yacht Club
Burgee of bay of quinte yc.svg Bay of Quinte Yacht Club
Burgee of Bras d'Or YC.svg Bras d'Or Yacht Club
Burgee of Bronte Harbour YC.svg Bronte Harbour Yacht Club
Burgee of Buffalo Canoe Club.svg Buffalo Canoe Club
Burgee of DobsonYC.svg Dobson Yacht Club
Burgee of Etobicoke YC.svg Etobicoke Yacht Club
Burgee of Northern YC.svg Northern Yacht Club
Burgee of Oakville Yacht Squadron.svg Oakville Yacht Squadron
Burgee of Royal Hamilton YC.svg Royal Hamilton Yacht Club
Burgee of Royal Lake of the Woods YC.svg Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club
Burgee of Royal St Lawrence YC.svg Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club
Burgee of Royal Vancouver YC.svg Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
Burgee of Royal Victoria YC.svg Royal Victoria Yacht Club
Royal Canadian Yacht Club Burgee.png Royal Canadian Yacht Club
RoyalNovaScotiaYachtSquadron1.png Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron
Windsor Yacht Club - Burgee.png Windsor Yacht Club
Burgee of Queen's University at Kingston.SVG Queen's University at Kingston (College team)
Burgee of University of British Columbia.SVG University of British Columbia (College team)

See also

Notes

  1. The official blazon of the jack reads: "Argent senestré Azure on the Argent a maple leaf Gules on the Azure two dolphins naiant Or the lower one contourné." [8]

References

  1. Department of Canadian Heritage. "Ceremonial and Canadian Symbols Promotion > Flag Etiquette in Canada". Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  2. Department of Canadian Heritage. "Ceremonial and Canadian Symbols Promotion > Personal Flags and Standards". Queen's Printer for Canada. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  3. "Confirmation of the blazon of a Flag". Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada. Official website of the Governor General. Retrieved 19 March 2025.
  4. Bertosa, Brian (2023). "It Was Supposed to Be Blue: Roads Not Taken with the Canadian Armed Forces Naval Jack, 1967-68". Northern Mariner / Le Marin du Nord. 32 (4): 545–574. doi:10.25071/2561-5467.1045 . Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  5. Government of Canada/Gouvernement du Canada. "History of Canadian naval flags". Canada.ca. Government of Canada/Gouvernement du Canada. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  6. Perrin, William Gordon (1922). British Flags: Their Early History, and Their Development at Sea; With an Account of the Origin of the Flag as a National Device. London: Cambridge at The University Press. p. 121. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  7. "1963-1965: The birth of Canada's National Flag — Who's who". Government of Canada/Gouvernement du Canada. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  8. Canadian Heraldic Authority. "Canadian Coast Guard". The Public Register of Arms, Flags, and Badges of Canada. The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  9. McWilliam, Yvonne (November–December 1963). "The Story Behind Our Flags". News on the DOT. 14 (6): 6–8. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  10. 1 2 "Flags of National Defence".
  11. "The Navy League of Canada [Civil Institution]". 12 November 2020.
  12. 1 2 "Heritage Structure | Annex A – Cadet Flags". 12 October 2018.
  13. "The Army Cadet League of Canada [Civil Institution]". 12 November 2020.
  14. 1 2 "The Army Cadet League of Canada [Civil Institution]". 12 November 2020.
  15. 1 2 Department of National Defence (2001-01-05). A-AD-200-000/AG-000 The Honours, Flags and Heritage Structure of the Canadian Forces Chap 4 Annex A. Directorate of History and Heritage.
  16. "Afro-Canadian flags".
  17. "Gaelic Flags (Canada)".
  18. Currie, Brooklyn (February 15, 2021). "New official African Nova Scotian flag looking to connect past, present and future". CBC News.
  19. Christopher Eby (7 January 2025). "Irish Heritage Quebec Unveils New Flag Design at Annual Meeting". The Flag Chronicle. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  20. Desjardins, Gustave (1874). Recherches sur les drapeaux français : oriflamme, bannière de France, marques nationales, couleurs du Roi, drapeaux de l'armée, pavillons de la marine. Paris: A. Morel et cie, éditeurs. p. Plate X. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  21. Stanley, George F. G. (1972). The Story of Canada's Flag, A Historical Sketch (Revised ed.). Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. p. 14. ISBN   978-0-7700-0197-1 . Retrieved 29 March 2025.
  22. Vachon, Auguste. "Banniére de France et Pavillon Blanc en Nouvelle-France". Heraldic Science Héraldique. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  23. Vachon, Auguste. "Banniére de France et Pavillon Blanc en Nouvelle-France". Heraldic Science Héraldique. Retrieved 1 April 2025.
  24. "The Loyalist Flag". UELAC. 2021-12-06. Retrieved 2024-12-26.
  25. New York State Historical Association (1915). Proceedings of the New York State Historical Association with the Quarterly Journal: 2nd-21st Annual Meeting with a List of New Members. The Association. It is most probable that the Bourbon Flag was used during the greater part of the occupancy of the French in the region extending southwest from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi, known as New France... The French flag was probably blue at that time with three golden fleur - de - lis ....
  26. "Fleur-de-lys | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. At the time of New France (1534 to the 1760s), two flags could be viewed as having national status. The first was the banner of France — a blue square flag bearing three gold fleurs-de-lys. It was flown above fortifications in the early years of the colony. For instance, it was flown above the lodgings of Pierre Du Gua de Monts at Île Sainte-Croix in 1604. There is some evidence that the banner also flew above Samuel de Champlain's habitation in 1608. ..... the completely white flag of the French Royal Navy was flown from ships, forts and sometimes at land-claiming ceremonies.
  27. "INQUINTE.CA | CANADA 150 Years of History ~ The story behind the flag". inquinte.ca. When Canada was settled as part of France and dubbed "New France," two flags gained national status. One was the Royal Banner of France. This featured a blue background with three gold fleurs-de-lis. A white flag of the French Royal Navy was also flown from ships and forts and sometimes flown at land-claiming ceremonies.
  28. W. Stewart Wallace (1948). The Encyclopedia of Canada, Vol. II, Toronto, University Associates of Canada. pp. 350–351. During the French régime in Canada, there does not appear to have been any French national flag in the modern sense of the term. The "Banner of France", which was composed of fleur-de-lys on a blue field, came nearest to being a national flag, since it was carried before the king when he marched to battle, and thus in some sense symbolized the kingdom of France. During the later period of French rule, it would seem that the emblem...was a flag showing the fleur-de-lys on a white ground.... as seen in Florida. There were, however, 68 flags authorized for various services by Louis XIV in 1661; and a number of these were doubtless used in New France
  29. McWilliam, Yvonne (November–December 1963). "The Story Behind Our Flags". News on the DOT. 14 (6): 6–8. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  30. "History of icebreaking in Canada". Canadian Coast Guard. Government of Canada/Gouvernement du Canada. 16 May 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
  31. McWilliam, Yvonne (November–December 1963). "The Story Behind Our Flags". News on the DOT. 14 (6): 6–8. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  32. McWilliam, Yvonne (November–December 1963). "The Story Behind Our Flags". News on the DOT. 14 (6): 6–8. Retrieved 15 March 2025.
  33. Flags of the World (retrieved on 31 July 2007)
  34. "Photos for Fort Malden National Historic Park". Yelp.com. Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  35. Begg, Alexander. "The Red River Troubles". The Globe (Letter to the Editor).
  36. Osler, Edmund Boyd (1961). The Man Who Had to Hang Louis Riel. Longmans Green. p. 69.
  37. Payment, Diane P (February 2009). "A National Feast Day, a Flag, and Anthem". The Free People - Li Gens Libres: A History of the Métis Community of Batoche, Saskatchewan (2 ed.). Calgary, AB, Canada: University of Calgary Press. ISBN   978-1-55238-239-4.
  38. "Dominion Day and the "New" Canadian Flag". Barkerville Historic Town & Park. 1 July 2019. Archived from the original on 2 August 2019. Retrieved 2 August 2019.
  39. Stevenson, Lorraine (23 May 2018). "Argyle museum waves the flag – all 1,300 of them". The Manitoba Co-operator. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  40. 1 2 "Woman wants Cape Breton flag designed by her daughter recognized | Saltwire". www.capebretonpost.com. Retrieved 2020-09-30.
  41. FOTW Flags of the World: Vancouver Island (British Colony, Canada)
  42. Flags of Canada: British Columbia