how and why the Canadian Government was finally motivated enough to bring a National Flag to fruition in 1964-65.
In my 4 (plus)years of research and interviews there are 2 particular anomalies which have proven to be the basis of all efforts both political and historical in the successful creation of the most recognized symbol of Canada in the world, a ”Dream” and a “Promise”.
The efforts of many individuals spread over almost 96 years all played very significant parts in the overall result and final product that we know today, but beyond any doubt the Canadian Maple Leaf Flag was a direct result of Lester B. Pearson’s dream which began in 1956 and John Ross Matheson’s promise in 1961. These 2 Canadian Parliamentarians and their dedicated
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At a policy gathering in Kingston Ontario, over a span of 3 days this group reviewed and created approximately 8 Liberal Party of Canada policies which would be the basis of any upcoming election platform. One of these policies was the creation of a National Flag for Canada. In July of 1960 these policies were the topic of debate at the Liberal Party of Canada gathering in Ottawa and were given the support of the Party faithful (the stage was set).These policies were adopted as the Official Liberal Party of Canada election platform leading up to the Federal Election in 1962. It was these policies which are credited for bringing the Conservative Party seats in Parliament down from the largest majority in Canadian Parliamentary history to a minority Government during the 1962 …show more content…
Matheson met and became the best of friends with George Beley a prominent Brockville Banker. Although Matheson was a Liberal and Beley was a staunch Conservative they both enjoyed a common passion, “Heraldry” the study of crests, arms, colours, ensigns, flags and the history of their origins. Mr. Matheson and Mr. Beley worked on many heraldic based projects together from the early 1950’s, they were instrumental in the design and creation of an official Flag and Crest for the City of Brockville in 1966. Mr.
Beley was one of the founders of the Brockville Highland Pipe Band and Beley School of Scottish Dance in Brockville. Mr. Beley was instrumental in the creation, and one of the Founders of the Heraldic Society of Canada. Mr. Matheson was a founding member.
George Beley (Co-Founder of Heraldry Society of Canada, Brockville Highland Pipe band) and Beley Scottish School of Dance In early 1961 John Ross Matheson was asked by Louis St. Laurent (family friend and former Prime Minister) to consider politics as a Liberal candidate for the riding of Leeds. After considerable thought Mr. Matheson accepted the challenge and ran as the Liberal Party of Canada candidate in a federal byelection in the spring of 1961.
On May 29th 1961 in the riding of Leeds in Ontario, John Ross Matheson was elected as the Liberal Member of Parliament of
The years since the Battle of Vimy Ridge may have passed quickly, but the legacy of the Canadians whose accomplishments were great in that pivotal First World War battle lives on. Many people claim to this day that Canada came of age as a country on those hard April days in 1917. At first, through the meticulous planning of the battle, the world saw a nation capable of working together and making decisions as a team. Afterwards, with the range of technical and tactical innovations involved in the attack, the world saw a strong nation unafraid to protect and defend. In the end, through great sacrifice the world bore witness to the birth of the Canadian legacy. To conclude that the nation was born on April 9th 1917, on the Artois plains is to deny over three centuries of history during which the ancestors of millions of Canadians devoted their lives to building the country. This is why the Battle of Vimy Ridge wasn’t the birth of Canada itself, but the birth of our legacy- the ‘true’ origin of our nation.
...ce of American culture (Harvey), and lastly he welcomed Newfoundland into confederation in 1949 (“Newfoundland History”), which was a large accomplishment because of the failures that many other politicians experienced in trying to do so before.
The years following the Second World War were bleak in regards to Canada's future as a country, with the public and politicians alike set against each other, but soon a Québec man by the name of René Lévesque entered journalism, and then politics, voicing his views for all to hear, with great success and vigour. Though obstacles presented themselves often in his life, he changed the views of Québec, Canada and the world as a whole. René Lévesque was a passionate and charismatic politician who greatly contributed to post-war Québec and even today through his beliefs in separatism, founding the Parti Québecois and passing Bill 101.
A century ago, Canada was under control by the British Empire. The battles we fought the treaties we signed and the disputes we solved all helped us gain independence from our mother country “Britain”. Canadians fought a long battle protecting others, and from these battles we gained our peaceful reputation and our independence from Britain. Canada became a nation on July, 1st 1867. Although we were an independent country, our affairs and treaties were all still signed by Britain. In the next years Canada would establish its own government, and lead its own affairs. Many important events led to Canada’s independence, one of the earliest signals that Canada wanted to establish autonomy was the Chanak affair of 1921. In addition the battle of Normandy, which occurred on June 6 1944, contributed to the autonomy of Canada. The Suez Canal Crisis, which took place in the year 1956, earned Canada a place in the media spotlight, displaying Canada as a peaceful country that deserves the right to be independent. One of the final steps that aided with Canada’s independence from Britain was the Canada Act of 1982. Independence from Britain steadily increased throughout the 20th century because of political decisions made in Canada.
Pierre Elliot Trudeau was arguably one of the most vivacious and charismatic Prime Ministers Canada has ever seen. He wore capes, dated celebrities and always wore a red rose boutonniere. He looked like a superhero, and often acted like one too. Some of the landmark occurrences in Canadian history all happened during the Trudeau era, such as patriating the constitution, creating the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the 1980 Quebec Referendum. However, it is Trudeau’s 1969 “white paper” and the Calder legal challenge which many consider to be one of his most influential contributions to Canadian history.
First, the Pearson government took initiatives that enhance Canadian nationalism. Pearson's government introduced the current Maple Leaf Flag on February 15, 1965 (Bourdon). Before then, the flag that Canada used was the Canadian Red Ensign ("1956-1968"). That flag included the Union Jack, which French Canadians resented ("1956-1968"). The adoption of the new flag showed both Canada's independence and the importance of representing Canada as a whole. Also, Pearson adopted the current national anthem. A special joint committee of the Senate and the House of Commons was considering the status of 'God Save the Queen' and 'O Canada' ("National Anthem: O Canada"). Pearson, by a motion in the House of Commons, requested “that the government be authorized to take such steps as may be necessary to provide that “O Canada” shall be the National Anthem of Canada” ("National Anthem: O Canada"). This motion led to the establishment of our current national anthem, which Canadians are patriotic towards. In addition, Pearson promoted Canadian nationhood by creating another symbol. He replaced the system of British honours that were previously awarded to Canadians with the Order of Canada on April 17, 1967 (Bourdon). This replacement further showed Canada's independence from Great Britain ...
Canada experienced the revolution of changing politics and new ideologies, it was a necessary wave
“Let us be English or let us be French . . . and above all let us be Canadians.” Born on January 11, 1815, in Glascow, Scotland, Sir John A. Macdonald became the first prime minister of Canada and one of the most transcendent that Canada has ever seen. He immigrated to Canada in 1820, at the age of five, where his family, including his mother, father and two siblings, settled in Kingston, Ontario. He spent his childhood studying at the Midland District Grammar School, where he developed his passion for the English language and at the same time, realizing his new dream of becoming a lawyer. He was unable to attend university as a result of the financial problems within his family; however, that did not stop him from achieving his goal. At the age of fifteen, Sir John A. Macdonald entered a law office as a junior and as a result of his perseverance and dexterous personality, he was called to the bar in 1836. He then began his law practice with extensive success as a commercial lawyer in Toronto and Kingston. His commendable efforts as a lawyer were well recognized by many and he became extensively popular and was regarded as a positive leader that could make a difference. By 1844, he was elected to represent Kingston in the Legislative Assembly of Canada. In 1854, he helped create the Conservative party and on July 1, 1867, the day of Confederation, he became Canada’s first prime minister. Sir John A. Macdonald contributed to Canadian history in a significant way as his actions had a positive impact on Canada, which helped it develop and prosper.
Mallory, J.R.. 1965. “The Five Faces of Federalism.” In P.A. Crepeau and C.B. Macpherson (eds.) The Future of Canadian Federalism. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Any person, place or event that has held the honour of being commemorated in Canada has been recognized of an extreme importance to the country. It is impossible to research commemoration in Canada without reading about world war one and two; The great wars are arguably the most commemorated events in History let alone Canada. Understanding this they are not the only events that receive attention from Canada, the government recognizes many other occurrences as, well, anything from Sir John A. Macdonald day on the 11th of January to the anniversary of the statute of Westminster on the 11th of December. I do not believe that any one event can be placed above or below another, and that they all hold a value in whatever way that may be. This Essay
Newman, Garfield et al. Canada A Nation Unfolding. Toronto: Mc Graw – Hill Ryerson Limited, 2000.
Levine’s argument has strong valid points about people not being adverse to change and that the Canadian flag is a symbol for ones country having the Red Ensign which was a symbol to the British. Many thought of that to be a Canadian tradition and were opposed for change on the Canadian flag. We tend to forget about the British connection and that emotional attachment that people have (Levine, 2014). This article examines the debates in which formal Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson opted for a new design of the Canadian
Have you ever wondered which events in Canadian history have been the most significant in shaping Canadian identity? Many significant events in the twentieth century left a lasting legacy for Canada. Canada would not be the culturally rich, prosperous and progressive nation that it is today, without its immigration patterns in the past. World War I (WWI) was also a significant event as it united Canada and left behind a legacy of sacrifice and national pride. Economic development during the post war period contributed to Canadian success nationally and globally. Immigration, WWI and economic development were significant events in Canadian twentieth century history. Each event brought new and powerful
Canadians have come along way in their culture and identity. Canadians have participated in multiple wars and battles that have shaped our country and the people that live in this country. But it’s not just the violence what shaped our country but the people and traditions that originated outside of Canada and was brought here. European, British and French cultures and tradition have all influenced Canada’s culture and identity. (Blattberg, C. 13, January 02). Immigrants from all over the world have in the passed contributed to the way we view Canada and because of that we live in a safe, mosaic, multicultural country. (Blattberg, C. 13, January 02).There have also been the First Nations people who started Canada’s good reputation and because of them we have accomplished everything that we have done today. (Blattberg, C. 13, January 02).
The defining moment of the importance of hockey in Canada was “The Goal of the Century” in 1972. It was the evening of September 28th; the site was Moscow – U.S.S.R. In the midst of the Cold War, a game-winning goal by Canadian hockey player Paul Henderson at the end of the third period with only 34 seconds left on the clock vaulted Canada to a victory at the Summit Series and put them on top of the hockey world. The heart and character of Canadian hockey internationally began. “The exact moment of that spectacular goal has become a reference point in our national collective consciousness.”- R. Eagleson (Foreword). It was the climatic goal watched by almost every Canadian, and their pride swelled to amazing heights. Hockey is more than just a game in Canada, it is a celebrated history. Hockey is Canada’s identity. “Hockey captures the essence of Canadian experience in the New World. In a land so inescapably and inho...