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Union Jack FlagThe term Union Flag refers to the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Historically, the flag has been used throughout the former British Empire. It still remains an official or semi-official status in many Commonwealth Realms.
Although many people refer to this flag as the Union Jack, in Canada this flag is officially called the "Royal Union Jack". It is flown from federal buildings, airports, military bases and other government buildings on the following days: Commonwealth Day (second Monday in March), Victoria Day, (official birthday of our monarch)) and December 11, (the anniversary of the proclamation of the Statue of Westminster 1931).
The flag is only flown where physical arrangements allow. The flag of Canada is never moved to make room for the Royal Union Flag unless the monarch is visiting.
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Royal Union Jack1900's
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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Canadian Red Ensign FlagThe Red Ensign, a red flag with the Union Jack in the upper corner, was created in 1707 as the flag of the British Merchant Marine. From approximately 1870 to 1904, it was used on land and sea as Canada's flag, with the addition of a shield in the fly bearing the quartered arms of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Although its use on land had never been sanctioned except by public usage, in 1892 the British admiralty approved the use of the Red Ensign for Canadian use at sea. This gave rise to the name the Canadian Red Ensign.
As new provinces entered Confederation, or when they received some mark of identification (sometimes taken from their seal), that mark was incorporated into the shield on the Canadian Red Ensign. By the turn of the century, the shield was made up of the coat of arms of the seven provinces then in Confederation.
In 1924, this unofficial version of the Canadian Red Ensign was changed by an Order in Council and the composite shield was replaced with the shield from the royal arms of Canada, more commonly known as the Canadian Coat of Arms. At the same time, this new version was approved for use on Canadian government buildings abroad. A similar order in 1945 authorized its use on federal buildings within Canada until a new national flag was adopted.
The Canadian Red Ensign was the national flag of Canada from 1957 to 1965. It was replaced by the red and white maple leaf flag on February 15, 1965.
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Canadian Ensign Flag1940's
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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Canada Flag - A symbol of Canadian identity.The official ceremony inaugurating the new Canadian flag was held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on February 15, 1965, with Governor General Georges Vanier, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, the members of the Cabinet and thousands of Canadians in attendance.
The Canadian Red Ensign, bearing the Union Jack and the shield of the royal arms of Canada, was lowered and then, on the stroke of noon, our new maple leaf flag was raised. The crowd sang the national anthem, "O Canada", followed by the royal anthem, " God Save the Queen".
The following words, spoken on that momentous day by the Honourable Maurice Bourget, Speaker of the Senate, added further symbolic meaning to our flag: "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."
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Canada FlagPresent time
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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The Alberta FlagAdopted on June 1, 1968, the flag of Alberta contains the Shield centred on an azure-blue background. The shield is topped by St. George's Cross on a white background, representing King George III and symbolizing British heritage. An azure-blue sky highlights the snow-capped Rocky Mountains, shadowing the green foothills, the prairies and the wheat fields. Blue, along with Gold, are official colours of Alberta.
The flag is twice as wide as it is high.
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Alberta Flag1900's
Bentley, Alberta
Credits:Bentley Museum Society
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