The Canadian flag, featuring the symbolic red maple leaf and red bars on a white background, turned 45 Monday and was honoured during National Flag Day of Canada in the atrium of the Daniel J. MacDonald building in Charlottetown.
The event saw a number of speakers, including P.E.I. Lt.-Gov. Barbara Hagerman, paying their respects to the history and meaning of the national symbol as well as songs by the Canada Remembrance Chorus and a special Canadian Olympic rap song by Sherwood Elementary Grade 6 students.
The Canadian flag, as it is known today, went through a number of incarnations in the years after Confederation and created a great deal of debate in Parliament before its approval on Dec. 15, 1964.
Hagerman admitted during her speech that she, like many Canadians, was too young at the time to understand the importance of the new flag but that quickly changed in the years that followed.
"In the years since, we have come to know the Canadian flag is very special," Hagerman said.
This year is an especially significant year for Canada and its flag, Hagerman said.
"This year the Canadian flag will be seen all around the world as Canada is host to the Olympics."
The Canadian flag is something for all Canadians to be proud of and celebrated, Hagerman said.
"The national flag of Canada continues to inspire hope to Canadians," she added.
Charlottetown Deputy Mayor Stu MacFadyen said the Canadian flag represents a special country and commands respect.
"We live in the best country in the world and when people see the flag, they know and respect it," MacFadyen said.
Liberal MP Shawn Murphy and Brian Ferguson, assistant deputy minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, were also on hand and spoke to the crowd.
O Canada: special ceremony honours country's flag
O Canada: special ceremony honours country's flag
- Published on Febuary 16th, 2010
- Published on June 15th, 2010
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Al MacLeod
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Comments
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- speedy
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:22:58
I for one could never hear our National Anthem too much.
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- Chelle'
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:05:08
Schools across NovaScotia should be teaching the Youth about The Flag and starting in Elementary through High School staring each school day Standing At Attention to O Canada over the PA System.
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- lovescanada
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:46:27
I did that from Kindergarten to Grade 6. Now upgrading credit..
Don't get me wrong, i LOVE canada,
but i've heard the national anthem enough. -
- Mr
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:38:21
We need a full rewrite of our national anthem. It is indeed the worst anthem I've ever heard. Its mindless lyrics, its drab, repetitive tune, it's very difficult to have any emotion for that anthem. For you sensitive types, this is not a slight against Canada, I'm just pointing out an obvious problem with our anthem. Nothing unpatriotic about critique.
I wonder, however, if we could possibly rewrite it without mentioning hockey. Not everyone is a hockey fan, and I'm tired of hockey being used as our only cultural reference. Beer and hockey. blah.
