Fleur-de-lis (1647)
The fleur-de-lis was a symbol of French sovereignty in Canada from 1534, when Jacques Cartier
landed and claimed the New World for France, until the early 1760s, when Canada was given to
the United Kingdom. Although a number of French military flags were used in Canada during this
period, including the white flag of the Marine royale after 1674, the fleur-de-lis held a position of some
prominence.
The Cross of St. George traces its history back to the legend of St. George, who became the patron
saint of England in the late Middle Ages. The red cross associated with St. George came into wide use
as a national emblem of England in 1274, during the reign of Edward I.
At Gregg’s, taking pride in being 100% Canadian
is an everyday thing. This year is even better! It’s
Canada’s 150th! We’ve put together 13 brochures that
highlight fun facts you may or may not have known
about our wonderful country. Collect them all!
Celebrate along with us!
The earliest recorded use of the Cross of St. George in Canada is found in a watercolour painting by
John White. It depicts English explorers struggling with Inuit, most likely on Baffin Island during Martin
Frobisher’s expedition of 1577. It was also carried by John Cabot when he reached the east coast of
Canada in 1497.
Red Ensign (1871-1921)
The Red Ensign was commissioned to include a fly bearing the quartered arms of Ontario, Quebec,
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in 1871. From approximately 1873 to 1921, as new provinces
entered Confederation or received some mark of identification (sometimes taken from their seal),
that mark was incorporated into the shield. By 1921, it was made up of the coats of arms of the nine
provinces then in Confederation. It was unofficially used on land and sea as Canada’s flag.
From Sea to Shining Sea
Learn a little bit about every province and territory in Canada! This time: British Columbia
Adopted in 1960, the provincial flag duplicates the design of B.C.’s Shield of Arms, which is a component of B.C.’s Coat of
Arms. The top of the flag depicts the Royal Union Flag, reflecting B.C.’s British heritage, with the King Edward crown in the
centre representing the Royal Family. Below is a setting sun, representing B.C.’s position as Canada’s westernmost province.
The wavy white and blue lines symbolize B.C.’s location between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains.
British Columbia is 944,735 km2 which is 9.5% of Canada. Capital city: Victoria
Entered Confederation: July 20, 1871
License plate motto: Beautiful British Columbia
ALBERTA
COME VISIT US AT ONE OF OUR 24 LOCATIONS!
C
GREGG DISTRIBUTORS LTD.
100% CANADIAN
CA
NADA’S 15
The Canadian Flag: A Brief History
“The flag is the symbol of the nation’s unity, for it,
beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of
Canada without distinction of race, language,
belief or opinion.”
the Honourable Maurice Bourget
at the ceremony inaugurating the
new Canadian flag
February 15, 1965
BRITISH COLUMBIA
ATHABASCA
5006 - 52 St., T9S 1V3
Ph. (780) 675-3110 Fax (780) 675-4774
FORT MCMURRAY
325 MacAlpine Crescent, T9H 4Y4
Ph. (780) 715-4000 Fax (780) 743-8833
RED DEER - QUEENS
191 Queens Drive, T4P 0R3
Ph. (403) 406-6044 Fax (403) 406-6099
CALGARY - MAIN
5755 - 11 St. S.E., T2H 1M7
Ph. (403) 253-6463 Fax (403) 253-5926
GRANDE PRAIRIE
11140 - 97 Ave., T8V 3J8
Ph. (780) 513-4000 Fax (780) 513-6000
SPIRIT RIVER
5202 Highway 49, Box 579, T0H 3G0
Ph. (780) 864-3333 Fax (780) 864-3330
EDMONTON - EAST
3611 - 76 Ave., T6B 2S8
Ph. (780) 450-2233 Fax (780) 450-2266
CALGARY - FOOTHILLS
6130 - 51 St. S.E., T2C 4M9
Ph. (403) 203-1928 Fax (403) 236-1912
HIGH LEVEL
10207 - 96 St., T0H 1Z0
Ph. (780) 926-2521 Fax (780) 926-3514
STRATHMORE
1020 Westridge Road, T1P 1H8
Ph. (403) 934-3710 Fax (403) 934-5453
EDMONTON - SOUTH
3911 - 92 St., T6E 6R8
Ph. (780) 409-2000 Fax (780) 409-2100
CLAIRMONT
9802 - 84 Ave., T0H 0W0
Ph. (780) 567-2238 Fax (780) 567-2239
LETHBRIDGE
4005 - 5 Ave. N., T1H 6Y3
Ph. (403) 328-7333 Fax (403) 328-7666
1935 Boxwood Rd., V9S 5X9
Ph: 250-754-1935 Fax: 250-754-1165
NISKU
1405 - 5 St., T9E 8C7
Ph. (780) 979-9988 Fax (780) 979-9989
DRAYTON VALLEY
6105 - 50 Ave., Box 5055, T7A 1R3
Ph. (780) 621-0056 Fax (780) 621-0057
RAINBOW LAKE
2 Rainbow Drive, Box 596, T0H 2Y0
Ph. (780) 956-2588 Fax (780) 956-2589
SASKATCHEWAN
ACHESON
101-53016 Hwy 60, T7X 5A7
Ph. (780) 948-7111 Fax (780) 948-7222
FAIRVIEW
9402 - 113 St., Box 2020, T0H 1L0
Ph. (780) 835-5115 Fax (780) 835-3535
RED DEER - EAST
5141 - 76A Street Close, T4P 3M2
Ph. (403) 341-3100 Fax (403) 341-3210 www.greggdistributors.ca
EDMONTON - MAIN
16215-118 Ave., T5V 1C7
Ph. (780) 4-GREGGS or 447-3447
Fax (780) 451-2528
Gregg Distributors Ltd.
B RAT I
E
L
N
E
G
Cross of St. George (1577)
CANADA
Fun Facts about
h!
As shown on the Government of Canada’s website, here are just a few of the flags used by Canadians for the
past 400 years. The Red Ensign was never officially adopted as a national flag. Until the adoption of the present
national flag, the Royal Union Jack was the only other official National Flag of Canada.
0t
First Canadian Flags
FORT ST. JOHN
9404 - 111 St., V1J 7J5
Ph. (250) 785-8000 Fax (250) 785-8022
LANGLEY
19632 - 96 Ave., V1M 3B9
Ph. (604) 888-9588 Fax (604) 888-4688
NANAIMO
SASKATOON
3066 Faithfull Ave., S7K 8H2
Ph. (306) 343-6655 Fax (306) 343-6656
Gregg Distributors Ltd.
Edition
#1 of 13
The Canadian Flag: A Brieff History
On February 15, 1965, the National Flag of Canada was raised for the first time over Parliament
Parrliament Hill. The red-whitered pattern is based on the flag of the Royal Military College of Canada and the ribbon of
o the Canada General Service
Medal of 1899, a British decoration given to those who defended Canada in 19th-century
y battles. The leaf has 11 points,
and the flag’s proportions are two by length and one by width. Our current, recognizable
e maple leaf flag is really the
latest in a series of flags that have flown over what has become Canada. Beginning in the
th
he 15th century, flags have flown
on our soil for England, for France, and even after Confederation in 1867, we’ve had a few
fe
ew different flags representing
Canada.
The idea for a uniquely Canadian flag would come up over time, starting in 1925. But the
th
he committee assigned with
the task never completed its work. In 1946, a parliamentary committee examined more than 2600 submissions — but
members could not agree on a new design.
In 1964, the debate came up again as Canada approached its Centennial. Then Prime Minister
M
Lester Pearson’s
government narrowed down a number of designs to only three:
•a Red Ensign with the fleur-de-lis and the Union Jack;
•a design that included three red maple leaves; and
•a red flag with a single, stylized red maple leaf on a white square.
After prototypes were made, there were two final designs to choose from:
•a flag with three joined maples leaves in between a blue border;
•the single leaf design in between a red border.
The single maple leaf design was endorsed.
endor
It was inaugurated
inaugurate
ed
on February 15, 1965; and in 1996,
19
Prime Minister Jean
Je
ean
Chretien proclaimed February
Feb
15 as National Flag
Day.
You can see some of the
Y
th
he first
C
Canadian
flags on the back
p
page
of this brochure.
The Flag at Parliament Hill in Ottawa
Did you know the flag on the Peace Tower at Parliament Hill is changed almost every day?
Every weekday, the designated flag master changes the Peace Tower flag, except on statutory
holidays and during poor weather conditions. The flag is also changed for half-masting. The other
Parliament Hill flags are changed weekly and on days that they are at half-mast.
To replace the Peace Tower flag, the flag master folds and places a new flag in a satchel, takes the
elevator to the observation deck, and climbs 33 metres of stairs and ladders. Once at the top, the
flag master lowers the flying flag and raises the new one on the 10.7-metre flagpole. Throughout
the 20 to 30 minute process, the flag is never to
touch the ground.
As a courtesy, flags that have flown on
Parliament Hill are donated to Canadian
residents. You can add your name to the
waiting list on the Government of Canada’s
website. Patience is a virtue! The approximate
waiting period for the Peace Tower flag is 63
years, and 50 years for other Parliament Hill
flags.
Fleur-de-lis (1647)
The fleur-de-lis was a symbol of French sovereignty in Canada from 1534, when Jacques Cartier
landed and claimed the New World for France, until the early 1760s, when Canada was given to
the United Kingdom. Although a number of French military flags were used in Canada during this
period, including the white flag of the Marine royale after 1674, the fleur-de-lis held a position of some
prominence.
The Cross of St. George traces its history back to the legend of St. George, who became the patron
saint of England in the late Middle Ages. The red cross associated with St. George came into wide use
as a national emblem of England in 1274, during the reign of Edward I.
At Gregg’s, taking pride in being 100% Canadian
is an everyday thing. This year is even better! It’s
Canada’s 150th! We’ve put together 13 brochures that
highlight fun facts you may or may not have known
about our wonderful country. Collect them all!
Celebrate along with us!
The earliest recorded use of the Cross of St. George in Canada is found in a watercolour painting by
John White. It depicts English explorers struggling with Inuit, most likely on Baffin Island during Martin
Frobisher’s expedition of 1577. It was also carried by John Cabot when he reached the east coast of
Canada in 1497.
Red Ensign (1871-1921)
The Red Ensign was commissioned to include a fly bearing the quartered arms of Ontario, Quebec,
Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in 1871. From approximately 1873 to 1921, as new provinces
entered Confederation or received some mark of identification (sometimes taken from their seal),
that mark was incorporated into the shield. By 1921, it was made up of the coats of arms of the nine
provinces then in Confederation. It was unofficially used on land and sea as Canada’s flag.
From Sea to Shining Sea
Learn a little bit about every province and territory in Canada! This time: British Columbia
Adopted in 1960, the provincial flag duplicates the design of B.C.’s Shield of Arms, which is a component of B.C.’s Coat of
Arms. The top of the flag depicts the Royal Union Flag, reflecting B.C.’s British heritage, with the King Edward crown in the
centre representing the Royal Family. Below is a setting sun, representing B.C.’s position as Canada’s westernmost province.
The wavy white and blue lines symbolize B.C.’s location between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains.
British Columbia is 944,735 km2 which is 9.5% of Canada. Capital city: Victoria
Entered Confederation: July 20, 1871
License plate motto: Beautiful British Columbia
ALBERTA
COME VISIT US AT ONE OF OUR 24 LOCATIONS!
C
GREGG DISTRIBUTORS LTD.
100% CANADIAN
CA
NADA’S 15
The Canadian Flag: A Brief History
“The flag is the symbol of the nation’s unity, for it,
beyond any doubt, represents all the citizens of
Canada without distinction of race, language,
belief or opinion.”
the Honourable Maurice Bourget
at the ceremony inaugurating the
new Canadian flag
February 15, 1965
BRITISH COLUMBIA
ATHABASCA
5006 - 52 St., T9S 1V3
Ph. (780) 675-3110 Fax (780) 675-4774
FORT MCMURRAY
325 MacAlpine Crescent, T9H 4Y4
Ph. (780) 715-4000 Fax (780) 743-8833
RED DEER - QUEENS
191 Queens Drive, T4P 0R3
Ph. (403) 406-6044 Fax (403) 406-6099
CALGARY - MAIN
5755 - 11 St. S.E., T2H 1M7
Ph. (403) 253-6463 Fax (403) 253-5926
GRANDE PRAIRIE
11140 - 97 Ave., T8V 3J8
Ph. (780) 513-4000 Fax (780) 513-6000
SPIRIT RIVER
5202 Highway 49, Box 579, T0H 3G0
Ph. (780) 864-3333 Fax (780) 864-3330
EDMONTON - EAST
3611 - 76 Ave., T6B 2S8
Ph. (780) 450-2233 Fax (780) 450-2266
CALGARY - FOOTHILLS
6130 - 51 St. S.E., T2C 4M9
Ph. (403) 203-1928 Fax (403) 236-1912
HIGH LEVEL
10207 - 96 St., T0H 1Z0
Ph. (780) 926-2521 Fax (780) 926-3514
STRATHMORE
1020 Westridge Road, T1P 1H8
Ph. (403) 934-3710 Fax (403) 934-5453
EDMONTON - SOUTH
3911 - 92 St., T6E 6R8
Ph. (780) 409-2000 Fax (780) 409-2100
CLAIRMONT
9802 - 84 Ave., T0H 0W0
Ph. (780) 567-2238 Fax (780) 567-2239
LETHBRIDGE
4005 - 5 Ave. N., T1H 6Y3
Ph. (403) 328-7333 Fax (403) 328-7666
1935 Boxwood Rd., V9S 5X9
Ph: 250-754-1935 Fax: 250-754-1165
NISKU
1405 - 5 St., T9E 8C7
Ph. (780) 979-9988 Fax (780) 979-9989
DRAYTON VALLEY
6105 - 50 Ave., Box 5055, T7A 1R3
Ph. (780) 621-0056 Fax (780) 621-0057
RAINBOW LAKE
2 Rainbow Drive, Box 596, T0H 2Y0
Ph. (780) 956-2588 Fax (780) 956-2589
SASKATCHEWAN
ACHESON
101-53016 Hwy 60, T7X 5A7
Ph. (780) 948-7111 Fax (780) 948-7222
FAIRVIEW
9402 - 113 St., Box 2020, T0H 1L0
Ph. (780) 835-5115 Fax (780) 835-3535
RED DEER - EAST
5141 - 76A Street Close, T4P 3M2
Ph. (403) 341-3100 Fax (403) 341-3210 www.greggdistributors.ca
EDMONTON - MAIN
16215-118 Ave., T5V 1C7
Ph. (780) 4-GREGGS or 447-3447
Fax (780) 451-2528
Gregg Distributors Ltd.
B RAT I
E
L
N
E
G
Cross of St. George (1577)
CANADA
Fun Facts about
h!
As shown on the Government of Canada’s website, here are just a few of the flags used by Canadians for the
past 400 years. The Red Ensign was never officially adopted as a national flag. Until the adoption of the present
national flag, the Royal Union Jack was the only other official National Flag of Canada.
0t
First Canadian Flags
FORT ST. JOHN
9404 - 111 St., V1J 7J5
Ph. (250) 785-8000 Fax (250) 785-8022
LANGLEY
19632 - 96 Ave., V1M 3B9
Ph. (604) 888-9588 Fax (604) 888-4688
NANAIMO
SASKATOON
3066 Faithfull Ave., S7K 8H2
Ph. (306) 343-6655 Fax (306) 343-6656
Gregg Distributors Ltd.
Edition
#1 of 13