SASKATOON – Fifty-one years after it was first raised over Parliament Hill, people in Saskatoon celebrated the birth of the Canadian flag. On Feb. 15, 1965, Canadians watched the red and white standard with the Maple Leaf fly for the first time.
“It was an extremely special day because we didn’t have a symbol to represent Canadians, or to represent Canada,” said Judy Denham, owner of The Flag Shop in Saskatoon.
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The occasion is now honoured with National Flag of Canada Day.
The launch was the result of at least three federal government committees and a nationwide contest that resulted in thousands of submissions. One proposed flag even paid tribute to The Beatles.
Wes Fyck, currently a creative director with Saskatoon-based National Brand Communications, was in Grade 1 when Canada adopted its current colours.
“It was so beautiful and modern and it represented the direction that Canada was heading and would continue to head,” Fyck said.
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Fyck’s co-creative director, Colin McFadyen, said Canada’s flag is simple, clean, natural and representative of the country.
“Content is everything. It needs to reflect a country, whether it’s the people or the land or whatever it is that is deemed most important,” McFadyen said.
Up until 1965, the Canadian Red Ensign was the official flag of the country.
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