Pmm Pearson Flag Debate

In the last 50 years the red and white flag has become a source of national pride for Canada. The flag debates should be considered an overall success despite the numerous challenges that PM Pearson faced in his efforts to change the flag. The public response to the debates was mostly in favour of the leader of the opposition party, Diefenbaker. Despite the success of the flag debates for Pearson, Diefenbaker was able to form stronger arguments which arguably lead to the creation of the current flag. Finally, the flag that was chose was the best option and lead to further Canadian autonomy from Britain and unity as a country. The flag debates were a defining event for Canadian independence and the current flag will continue to be flown proudly

Prime Minister Pearson’s idea for the new flag of Canada was not well received. Veterans booed him during a speech he made about the necessity to change the flag. The Red Ensign had become the unofficial flag of Canada and many were unwilling to change that. In addition to this, Canadians didn’t want to just go with whatever Pearson wanted as their flag, they wanted to choose a flag that was symbolic of both new and old Canada and had meaning to Canadians. They wanted a flag they would be proud to fly. Their protests to Pearson’s flag lead to the creation of the current flag as Canadians wanted to decide the flag for themselves. Diefenbaker’s argument was received extremely well by many as they were either in support of the Ensign or in creating a different flag. Diefenbaker was in support of the Red Ensign, but his main focus of the debates was to stop Pearson’s flag from becoming Canada’s national flag. Finally, the debates were a turning point for Canadian identity as it drove Canadian citizens to fight for the flag they thought best represented their

As a result of that, the flag that was chosen was symbolic of the changing Canadian identity. During a debate Diefenbaker stated that “We have had a flag, flags can be changed, but flags cannot be imposed, a sacred symbol of a peoples hopes and aspirations by the simple capricious personal choice of a Prime Minister of Canada”. In this quote Diefenbaker was able to make it clear that while he is not wholly opposed to changing the flag, the new flag should be chosen by the people. Pearson was arguing for his Pennant and was not eager to compromise. “The Pearson flag was a meaningless flag. There was no recognition of history. No indication of the existence of French and English Canada, the partnership of the races. It is a flag without a past, without history, without honor and without pride”. Diefenbaker brought an important point to light. Pearson’s flag is not representative of Canada. It pays not homage to their past, and therefore is deprived of any significance. With this argument Diefenbaker was able to gain the support of many Canadians. Which Pearson was struggling with at the time. Finally, Diefenbaker effectively targeted Pearson’s intentions behind changing the flag, stating that “Pearson was putting race against race and problems against problems”. Diefenbaker was referring to the threat of a referendum, stating that Pearson’s true intent was to appease to French Canada. This was powerful because it made