CANADA FLAG DAY

      February 15 is Canada's national flag day. The flag design was adopted by parliament and the flag raised officially on Feb. 15, 1964. So the flag is officially 60 years old. 

      Canada has had variations of flags since we were a colony. Gradually, we gained independence little by little until we were able to have our own distinctive flag. 

      Through the late 50's and early 60's there was a hot debate in parliament about what flag we should have. Many politicians and people wanted to keep the old red ensign. However , after many designs were submitted the red maple leaf with 2 red bars down each side was accepted. 

     The official flag raising was on Feb. 15 ,  1964. 

     To me this was a day in your life that is special and you remember it until the end of your life.

     In 1964 I was teaching in the Sir Alexander Mackenzie School in Inuvik. About 1000 kids were enrolled in the school at that time. We all went out to the front of the school where the flag pole was and a large brass monument of three rings representing three groups of people.  It was a clear day that was bitterly cold. 

     We had a very active cadet group and they proudly stood on guard while short speeches were made and then the flag was raised. All through this time I was watching the poor cadets as their ears gradually froze. I was hoping things would end so the kids could get back in the school.

     As Canadians we have been somewhat laid back about patriotic issues. Lately, Pres. Trump had put a fire under us with his comments and we are becoming much more patriotic. 

    However, I still look back to the day when I was present at the flag rising. 

Happy Birthday Canada

   

      Tomorrow Canada will be 149 years old. I can hardly wait until next year when we celebrate our 150 th

      So Canada is a relatively young country. In 1867 the British North American act was passed and it formed Canada. At first,  there were four provinces New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Ontario. Quebec and Ontario were only small areas on both sides of the st Lawrence and north of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. It wasn't until the 1920's that they became the size they are today. 

     Where I live , Alberta did not become a province until 1905. Previously the Hudson Bay co owned all of western Canada. The Hudson Bay Co. traded  their land to Canada and Canada set up territorial governments

    Some people started to come to western Canada when the railroad was built in the early 1880's. There was a people rush around 1900 when many people came to get free land...homesteads. 

   So provinces were formed once enough people arrived. So some of us are younger than others...provinces. My province was formed in 1905.

    So we're a young country that occupies the top of North America. We're free and happy and I hope we contribute our fair share to the rest of the world to help others.

The Canadian Flag First Went Up Fifty Years Ago

      Fifty years ago today the Canadian flag was officially raised.

      Let me go back a bit. Before 1965 Canada used several different flags. They were all a combination of varying parts of British designs. Our flag was called the Red Ensign.. Discussion went on for a long time about having a Canadian flag which is our own. A call for designs was made. Citizens submitted thousands of suggestions. The process took a long time until one was chosen and presented to parliament. There was much disagreement in parliament and the two sides dug in for a fight. Some of the population were much against the new design. Veterans wanted to keep the old flag that they fought two wars under.

     We actually had three different Red Ensigns. One was from 1868- 1921, a second from 1921-1957 and a third from 1957- 1965.



     Finally an act of parliament was passed to make the new flag official and it was agreed that the new flag would be raised Feb. 15 1965.



     Now this is a day I will not forget. I was a young teacher in Inuvik , Northwest Territories. I taught at Sir Alexander Mackenzie school which had an enrollment of about 1000 students.

    It was a bitterly cold clear day. We gathered around the flagpole at the front of the school. We had a number of local dignitaries...RCMP, Legion. Navy,cadets and administration. The old flag was slowly brought down and folded according to protocol. I can't remember who received the old flag but there were rules stating who should receive the old flag. The new flag was unfolded and attached to the lanyard and slowly raised. I can't remember if we sang Oh Canada or not.
   
     What I do remember is that the cadets insisted on wearing their berets. We watched as their ears steadily whitened with frost. Of course, they would never cover their ears with their hands. The cadets played a very important role in this event. I'm sure none of them will ever forget it. I think a few other people froze their ears too.

     I'm not one for pomp and ceremony but this event will stick in my mind forever. It was an impressive ceremony and we knew that something important was happening that day.

    Now Canadians love their flag and you seldom hear any criticism.