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Canadians differ on flag, closure

Broadcast Date: Dec. 15, 1964

Early on Dec. 15, 1964, the House of Commons voted for closure on the flag debate. CBC reporters say reaction to the flag and the political manoeuvering is mixed. French Canadians are, for the most part, indifferent. A woman in Vancouver says closure was inevitable because the members of Parliament "were getting like ladies at a tea party, trying to decide whether they wanted pink or green napkins."

Canadians differ on flag, closure

• A flag committee of seven Liberals, five Progressive Conservatives, one New Democrat, one Social Crediter and one Créditiste voted on Canadian flag designs. They unanimously selected the flag suggested by Liberal party member of Parliament John Matheson.
• Designer George Stanley had suggested to Matheson that the flag resemble the Royal Military College's, which has a white square in the middle and two red bars on the sides, much like the current Canadian flag.

• Matheson helped develop the design and even doodled ideas for it in the House of Commons.
• Matheson also invented the Order of Canada design.
• On Jan. 28, 1965 the Queen gave the Maple Leaf royal assent.
• In 1964 when Pearson realized he had no flag to take to his new cottage the next morning, the government exhibition commission's Ken Donovan had his daughter hurriedly stitch together some prototypes.

Canadians differ on flag, closure

Medium: Radio

Program: CBC Radio News

Broadcast Date: Dec. 15, 1964

Host: John O'Leary
Reporter: Norm Allen, Ron Chester, Brian Kelleher, John Sheltus

Duration: 3:16

Last updated:
May 29, 2002