[ 23 March 1964 ]

George Stanley, a well-known Canadian historian at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario, suggested to John Matheson, Pearson’s parliamentary secretary, that the proposed Canadian flag be a red flag with a single maple leaf on a white field in the centre.  Stanley argued that the flag be simple in design; that it not be confused with any other country’s flag; that it bear Canada’s colours, red and white; that it bear a devise, the maple leaf, which was clearly recognizable as Canadian; and that it avoid the use of divisive national symbols, such as the Union Jack or the fleur-de-lis.  In his words, “The single maple leaf has the virtue of simplicity; it emphasizes the distinctive Canadian symbol; and suggests the idea of loyalty to a single country.”