Canadian Red Ensign

emblem

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July 16, 2026

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The Canadian Red Ensign was an unofficial flag of Canada used from 1892 until 1965. It was a British Red Ensign with the Canadian coat of arms added to the fly. The coat of arms was updated in 1921 and again in 1957. While used on land as an unofficial national flag, the Union Jack continued to fly. Following World War II, there was a push for a distinct Canadian flag, leading to the adoption of the Maple Leaf Flag in 1965. The Red Ensign was used by Canadian vessels as a civil ensign and on land, it combined Canadian patriotism with loyalty to Britain.1

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flag of Canada
…civil ensign (later called the Canadian Red Ensign) for Canadian vessels. On land, that defaced ensign was used, without authorization, as an unofficial national flag combining Canadian patriotism and loyalty to Britain. Perhaps in imitation of the stars added to the United States flag whenever a new state joined the…
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…civil ensign (later called the Canadian Red Ensign) for Canadian vessels. On land, that defaced ensign was used, without authorization, as an unofficial national flag combining Canadian patriotism and loyalty to Britain. Perhaps in imitation of the stars added to the United States flag whenever a new state joined the…
Read More