Canadian Red Ensign

Canadian Red Ensign
The Canadian Red Ensign that was in use from 1957 until 1965
Red Ensign used from 1957 to 1965
UseCivil ensign[note 1] Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion1:2
Adopted1957 (earlier versions in 1892 and 1922)[note 2]
Relinquished1965
DesignA red field, featuring the Royal Union Flag in the canton, defaced with the shield portion of the coat of arms of Canada.

The Canadian Red Ensign (French: Red Ensign canadien) served as a nautical flag and civil ensign for Canada from 1892 to 1965, and later as the de facto flag of Canada before 1965.[3] The flag is a British Red Ensign, with the Royal Union Flag in the canton, emblazoned with the shield of the coat of arms of Canada.

The Canadian Red Ensign emerged as an informal flag to represent Canada as early as the 1870s and was used at sea[3] and on land "on all public buildings throughout the provinces,"[4] prior to becoming the country's civil ensign in 1892. The flag was adorned with the arms of the Canadian provinces until 1922, when the arms of Canada replaced the amalgamation of provincial arms on the ensign. During the Second World War, the ensign saw use as symbol that represented Canada's armed forces. In 1945, an order in council named the Canadian Red Ensign a "distinctive Canadian flag" to fly on government buildings. However, the ensign was never formally adopted as a national flag of Canada, with the Union Flag used in that role until the Maple Leaf flag was adopted in 1965.[3] The Maple Leaf flag replaced the Canadian Red Ensign as the civil ensign of the country when it became Canada's first official national flag.


Cite error: There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=note}} template (see the help page).

  1. ^ Colombo, John Robert (1 April 2021). "Canadian Red Ensign". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Historica Canada. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Canadian Red Ensign". www.gg.ca. Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "History of the National Flag of Canada". canada.ca. Department of Canadian Heritage. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  4. ^ Despatch No. 311, 12 December 1891, GG's Office, file 290A, Vol. 1, 1865-1937.