Flag of the Canadian Red Ensign

What the flag looks like

A red field with the Union Jack in the canton and, in the fly, the shield of Canada: the royal arms of England, Scotland, Ireland and France above a sprig of three red maple leaves on white.

What it means

The shield combines the arms of England, Scotland and Ireland with the fleurs-de-lis of royal France, for Canada's founding peoples, and maple leaves for Canada itself.

How to remember it

Before the Maple Leaf, Canada flew a British red ensign: the Union Jack in the corner and the Canadian shield, with three red maple leaves at its foot, in the fly.

Fun facts

• Canada flew versions of the Red Ensign from the late 19th century; the 1957 version changed the maple leaves on the shield from green to red.
• After the Great Flag Debate of 1964, the Maple Leaf flag replaced the Red Ensign on 15 February 1965.

Canadian Red Ensign at a glance

Flag used

1957–1965

Replaced by

Maple Leaf flag (1965)

Today

Canada

Capital

Ottawa

Region

1957–1965

Languages

English, French

Currency

Canadian dollar ($)

Flag adopted

1957