Many museums across Canada display historic flags in their exhibits. The Canadian Museum of History, in Hull, Quebec has many culturally important flags in their collections. Settlers, Rails & Trails Inc., in Argyle, Manitoba holds the second largest exhibit - known as the Canadian Flag Collection.

This poster illustrates some of the different ideas that were proposed over the years as a national flag for Canada. On October 22, 1964, the committee voted in favour of Stanley’s single-leaf concept. Two months later the House of Commons approved, followed shortly after by the Senate.

Follow this timeline for a brief history of the flags used in Canada and learn about some of the major moments in the creation of our National Flag. Long before Canada became a nation, the emblems of European nations were used to identify their settlers and explorers.

Canada has a rich heritage of historical flags which are the expression of its evolution over the centuries, to its present state as a sovereign, democratic nation. When properly and appropriately displayed, these flags help to understand, appreciate and honour Canada's history.

This date marks the creation of the first official, and distinctively Canadian flags. They are the flag of the Governor General, and the Canadian Blue Ensign. These both served to introduce the four-province badge. Further, the wreath and crown of the G-G's flag was copied informally on the Canadian Red Ensigns. 1870 Aug 2