The Red Ensign was the Canadian flag prior to 1965. It was an attractive flag, full of the emblems of our British history. Then the Liberals decided Canada needed its own distinctive flag: a red maple leaf with wide vertical red bars on each side against a white background. When it comes to displaying the flag as an act of patriotism, Canadians are not as boastful as our American cousins but pretty soon, the Canadian flag appeared as lapel pins or on the backpacks of young Canadians travelling the world. It was great advertising and seen by myriads of potential immigrants. It’s no accident that the Canadian flag has the same colour red as the Liberal Party: as an icon, the Canadian flag has become synonymous with the Liberals. It’s a brilliant piece of subliminal branding.
