A collection of Canadian Flag Proposal resources by Esteban Rivera (original) (raw)

Special Thanks to: Greg Burke, Technician, Steven Billinton, Patrick Hayes

Graphics: University of Saskatchewan Division of Media and Technology

2.10 "Links" (http://scaa.usask.ca/gallery/flagdisplay/links.htm),
which contains the following:
2.10.1"The National Flag of Canada - A to Z on the Canadian Flag" ( http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/df1_e.cfm)
2.10.2 "Showing the Flag: A Canadian Photo Album - Collection of
Full-Colour Photos" ( http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/english/flag/)
2.10.3 "National Archives of Canada � Two Illustrated Articles on the
Canadian Flag" ( http://www.archives.ca/04/04240301_e.html)
2.10.4.1 "CBC.ca - Canada Day 2003 - from CBC Archives" (http://http://www.cbc.ca/canadaday/cbcca.html )
2.10.4.2 "The Great Flag Debate" ( http://archives.cbc.ca/300c.asp?id=1-73-80)
2.10.4.3 "A Flag For Canada" ( http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/flagforcanada/)
2.10.5 "Flags of Canada and Provinces" ( http://www.members.shaw.ca/kcic1/flags.html)
2.10.6 "Pearson-Speeches-Inauguration of the Flag, February 15, 1965"
( http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/primeministers/h4-4028-e.html)
2.10.7 "Canadian Flag Activity Sheet - for High School Students" ( http://www.schdist42.bc.ca/Checks/ChecksFlagwksht.html)
2.11 "(Flag Debate:) Educational Resources" ( http://scaa.usask.ca/gallery/flagdisplay/edres.htm)

From the above mentioned complete research, is the final stage of the selection process as follows:
"On 8 September 1964, telling Pearson and Diefenbaker they and their parties had acted "like two old bulls in a pasture butting their heads together," Tommy Douglas, leader of the New Democratic Party, hoping a solution could be found "before we do irreparable damage to parliament and to confederation," called for an all-party committee to review and report on the flag issue. This proposal was accepted and by 10 September, 15-member committee was formed.

The committee eventually divided the designs into three main types:
one-leaf designs, three-leaf designs and those containing the fleur-de-lis and Union Jack in some combination. The field was narrowed to one flag of each type.

On 29 October, after 45 meetings, several votes were taken: adoption of the Red Ensign as the national flag was defeated 10 to 4; having a national plebiscite on the flag issue was rejected; the committee was unanimous in its determination to bring before Parliament its recommendation on a single flag.

In another vote, both designs containing maple leaves were retained: the Union Jack/fleur-de-lis design was rejected.

That left the choice between "Pearson's pennant" and the maple leaf flag. Assuming the Liberals on the committee would support Pearson's choice, the Conservative members voted in favour of the single maple leaf. The initial outcome was 14 to 0 for the maple leaf flag, with one abstention. A second, confirming vote was taken and the maple leaf flag passed, 10 to 4.

The debate had not ended entirely: on 9 December 1964, Leon Balcer broke Conservative party ranks to ask for closure. On 11 December, Conservatives brought in one more motion asking for the adoption of the Red Ensign; it was defeated 162 to 80. The final debate came on 14 December and at two o'clock on the morning of 15 December 1965, the bill adopting the new Canadian flag was passed. Parliament adjourned with MPs singing "O Canada.""
Sources: http://scaa.usask.ca/gallery/flagdisplay/committee.htm and http://scaa.usask.ca/gallery/flagdisplay/ourflag.htm