ONTARIO FLAG - 54" X 27" DURAPOLY

MADE IN CANADA

SIZE: 54 X 27 IN / 137 X 68.6CM

MATERIAL: PREMIUM QUALITY DURAPOLY WITH GROMETS

THE FLAG OF ONTARIO IS A DEFACEMENT OF THE CANADIAN RED ENSIGN, WHICH HAD BEEN THE DE FACTO NATIONAL FLAG OF CANADA FROM 1867 TO 1965. THE FLAG IS A RED FIELD WITH THE ROYAL UNION FLAG IN THE CANTON AND THE ONTARIO SHIELD OF ARMS IN THE FLY. THE COAT OF ARMS OF ONTARIO HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY ROYAL WARRANT OF QUEEN VICTORIA IN 1868. IT FEATURES A GREEN FIELD WITH THREE GOLD MAPLE LEAVES AND ABOVE IT, A WHITE BAND WITH A RED SAINT GEORGE'S CROSS.

THE AUTHENTIC ONTARIO FLAG IS TWICE AS LONG AS IT IS WIDE. THE SHADE OF RED IN THE FLAG IS SPECIFIED AS "BRITISH ADMIRALTY COLOUR CODE NO. T1144 FOR NYLON WORSTED BUNTING AND NO. T818A FOR OTHER BUNTING." THE SHIELD OF THE COAT OF ARMS IS "CENTRED IN THE HALF FARTHEST FROM THE STAFF".

HISTORY

BEFORE 1965, THE CANADIAN RED ENSIGN HAD SERVED AS THE DE FACTO NATIONAL FLAG OF CANADA. IT WAS FLOWN AT ALL MILITARY INSTALLATIONS IN CANADA AND OVERSEAS, EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES, OUTSIDE THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, AT ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION HALLS, AND MANY PRIVATE HOMES.

IN 1964, THE CANADIAN PARLIAMENT, AFTER A LONG AND ACRIMONIOUS DEBATE, ADOPTED THE MAPLE LEAF FLAG AS THE FLAG OF CANADA. THE PRECEDING NATIONAL FLAG DEBATE WAS VERY DIVISIVE AND THE CHANGE OF FLAG WAS UNPOPULAR WITH MANY CANADIANS. A GALLUP POLL OF APRIL 1963 INDICATED THAT A MAJORITY OF CANADIANS OUTSIDE OF QUEBEC PREFERRED TO RETAIN EITHER THE UNION JACK OR THE RED ENSIGN AS THE NATIONAL FLAG.  ANOTHER POLL, IN AUGUST 1964, INDICATED THAT LESS THAN 40% OF ONTARIANS APPROVED OF THE NEW FLAG.  MANY FELT, HOWEVER, THAT CHANGING THE NATIONAL FLAG WAS A WORTHWHILE CONCESSION TOWARDS BRINGING QUEBEC MORE CLOSELY INTO CONFEDERATION.