On February 15, 1965, the red and white maple leaf flag was first raised on Parliament Hill, across Canada and at Canadian embassies around the world.

Ottawa, Ontario…. February 15 will mark the 44th anniversary of Canada’s maple leaf flag.  Canadians in every province and territory will mark National Flag of Canada Day – an opportunity for each and every one of us to honour an important symbol of this country.

For Tilly O’Neill-Gordon, M.P. for Miramichi, “the maple leaf is a familiar symbol of our vast and beautiful country that reflects our common values and our sense of community.”

The celebration of our flag is also a time to celebrate our shared values and the linguistic, cultural and geographic diversity that is fundamental to the identity of Canadians.

Our Flag is considered by flag experts as one of the world’s most recognizable flags, based on its simple design and limited number of colours, the National Flag of Canada is admired by people in every corner of the world as a symbol of freedom and democracy.  And it is unmissable in Afghanistan, where Canadian soldiers are making enormous sacrifices to secure the peace and safeguard the Afghan people.

“For all these soldiers who fight and make our country proud, for all of ourselves as Canadians, I’m taking the time to invite everyone in Miramichi to join together in our communities and as a nation to celebrate the National Flag of Canada.  It is our flag and we are proud of it.” Concluded Tilly O’Neill-Gordon.