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Your Guide to Flag Etiquette in Canada

With the celebrations for Canada Day upon us, I thought it was a good time to revisit the topic of Flag Etiquette.

The National Flag of Canada is a symbol of honour and pride for all Canadians and as such should be displayed in a manner befitting this important national symbol. When flown in Canada, the National Flag of Canada takes precedence of all other national flags, with the exception of the personal standards of members of the Royal Family and of Her Majesty’s eleven representatives in Canada.

The National Flag of Canada is always flown on its own mast. It’s improper flag protocol to fly more than one flag on the same mast – such as one on top of the other.

The Flag is flown, by day and by night, at all federal buildings, airports, and military bases within and outside Canada.

When the National Flag of Canada is raised or lowered–or when it is carried past in a parade or review—everyone in attendance should face the flag, remove their hats, and remain silent.

Those in uniform should salute.

Displaying The Flag

Take care not to inadvertently hang the flag upside down when hanging it vertically. The flag should be placed so that the upper part of the leaf points to the left and the stem to the right from the point of view of the observer facing the flag.

If hung horizontally, the upper part of the leaf should be up and the stem down.

When affixed to a car, the flag must be on a pole and firmly attached to the chassis on the front right in a way that it does not touch the body of the car.

When displaying the flag from a window or a balcony, it must be horizontal or at an angle that allows the canton to point outward.

If there are two flagpoles, and the National Flag of Canada is being flown alone in front or on top of a building, it should be flown on a flagpole to the left to an observer facing the flag.

In a place of worship or on a speaker’s platform, the flag should be against the wall or on a flagpole on the left from the point of view of the audience facing the speaker.

Other flag etiquette points to keep in mind:

• The National Flag of Canada is not to be used as table or seat cover, to cover a box or as a barrier on a dais or platform.
• Use of the flag is discouraged for the purpose of covering a statue, monument or plaque at an unveiling ceremony.
• Nothing should be pinned to or sewn on a national flag.
• The flag should not be signed or marked up in any way. If you want to add signatures to the Flag, attach a border to the outside of the flag and leave the flag itself untouched.

For more rules for flying the flag, visit The Canadian Heritage website.
Have a wonderful Canada Day!

– Margaret

Factoid of the Month

Prime Minister Jean Chrétien announced on February 12, 1996 that February 15 will be officially designated National Flag of Canada Day.

Posted by Margaret Page in Newsletters.