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General
The Royal Union flag, commonly known as the
"Union Jack", has a long history of usage in Canada
dating back to the British settlement in Nova Scotia after
1621. Although the Red Ensign was widely used in Canada from
the time of Confederation until the national flag was adopted
in 1965, the Union Jack was the affirmed national symbol from
1904 and was the flag under which Canadian troops fought during
the First World War. The Union Jack maintains its presence
in Canada through its incorporation in the provincial flags
of Ontario, Manitoba, and British Columbia.
When flown or displayed in Canada, the Union
Jack serves two purposes. First, it is the national flag of
the United Kingdom, and second, it is flown as a symbol of
membership in the Commonwealth and allegiance to the Crown
as approved by Parliament on December 18, 1964.
The order of precedence of the Union Jack
in relation to provincial and territorial flags varies in
accordance with the reason it is flown.
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when representing Canada's membership
in the Commonwealth or allegiance to the Crown, for example
during a Royal Visit, the Union Jack is considered as
a "symbolic flag" and as such is displayed after
any other flag.
When the Union Jack is flown during a visit
to Canada by a person representing the United Kingdom, the
normal grouping of one Canadian flag and one Union Jack will
be followed. On some occasions, it may be deemed necessary
to add a provincial flag to the display. In this case the
Union Jack will take precedence before the provincial flag
as it represents the United Kingdom.
The Union Jack will, where physical arrangements
allow, be flown along with the Canadian flag at federal buildings,
airports, military bases, and other appropriate establishments
within Canada, from sunrise to sunset, on the following occasions
annually:
- the anniversary of the proclamation of the Statute of
Westminster (December11);
- the date of the official observance of Commonwealth
Day (the second Monday in March)
Physical arrangements means the existence
of at least two flag poles. The Canadian flag will always
take precedence and will not be replaced by the Union Jack.
Where only one pole exists, no steps shall be taken to erect
an additional pole.
The Union Jack may be flown with the Canadian
flag at the National War Memorial and at similarly appropriate
locations in Canada in connection with ceremonies marking
anniversaries of events in which Canadian forces participated
with other Commonwealth forces.
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Canadian Symbols |
